FarmBizAfrica rolls out AI farming tool

As unpredictable weather drives up food prices and destroys harvests across Kenya, agri-tech platform FarmBizAfrica has introduced an artificial intelligence-powered advisory tool aimed at helping farmers manage climate risk and boost profitability.

The new platform, HarvestMAX, uses AI to create customized crop plans based on a farmer’s location, soil profile and long-season weather forecasts — replacing traditional rain-fed guesswork with data-driven decision-making.

The urgency is clear. Last season’s patchy short rains exposed the fragility of Kenya’s agriculture sector. Maize farmers at the Coast suffered near-total crop failure due to inadequate rainfall, while producers in other regions lost tomatoes, beans and avocados to excessive moisture and waterlogging.

“With nearly all our crops remaining rain-fed, planting the same crops regardless of the weather is undermining farmers’ incomes and pushing up food prices,” said Antynet Ford of FarmBizAfrica.

HarvestMAX analyses weather projections and farm-specific conditions to recommend the most suitable crops, while also calculating expected input costs, projected revenues and potential profit margins. By allowing farmers to compare returns before planting, the platform shifts decision-making from trial-and-error to predictive analytics.

The tool is accessible without an app download and provides step-by-step, week-by-week agronomic guidance throughout the season. Farmers receive a permanent account to review recommendations at any time, and full plans can be printed for offline use. While long-season crop recommendations are offered free of charge, a one-off Sh500 administrative fee unlocks a detailed crop strategy covering planting schedules, seed selection, contingency plans for early or late rains, crop management practices and harvesting strategies designed to maximise market returns.

According to FarmBizAfrica, improved crop selection alone can dramatically increase smallholder earnings. While some farmers earn as little as Sh50,000 per acre per season, alternative crop choices combined with technical support could potentially raise returns to Sh250,000 or even Sh500,000.

Chief Executive Officer Jethro Tieman said Kenya was selected as the launch market because it accounts for 55 per cent of the platform’s more than three million monthly users. Drawing on 15 years of farmer engagement, he noted that growers consistently achieve better results when crop choices align with weather conditions and market demand, supported by practical extension guidance.

As climate volatility intensifies and agricultural extension services remain stretched, AI-powered advisory tools like HarvestMAX are emerging as a critical bridge  using technology to stabilise farm incomes and strengthen national food security.