Expert Says Real-Time AI Diagnosis Can Revolutionize Agriculture

By Philip Ogunkoya

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being recognized as a critical lever in tackling food insecurity, especially in regions where smallholder farmers bear the brunt of climate disruptions and crop loss. But experts argue that the benefits of AI will remain uneven unless tools are specifically designed to reach the farmers who need them most.

One such tool is Fama, a handheld device that leverages AI to detect crop diseases instantly through image recognition. Designed for use in rural and low-resource settings, Fama aims to give small-scale farmers the ability to make timely decisions that protect yields and reduce reliance on harmful pesticides.

“Scalable solutions must be grounded in the daily realities of agricultural communities,” said Mustapha Diyaol Haqq, an AI and agri-tech specialist who led the development of the device.

He emphasized that technological advances should not be confined to labs and startups, but integrated into systems that directly support food producers on the frontlines.

As global hunger trends intensify, exacerbated by climate change, inflation, and supply chain breakdowns, many experts are turning to AI as a tool not just for prediction, but for prevention.

Remote sensing, automated diagnostics, and real-time data collection are among the interventions that could stabilize food systems when appropriately deployed.

However, accessibility remains a major hurdle. In many cases, AI-powered platforms are tailored for commercial agribusiness or high-tech environments, leaving behind the majority of the world’s farmers, who work on small plots with limited resources.

Haqq notes that narrowing this gap isn’t just a matter of technology, it requires intentional design, localized infrastructure, and sustained training. “To truly move the needle on food security, AI must be demystified and embedded at the community level,” he said.
Fama, while still in early stages of distribution, is part of a growing wave of tools attempting to shift this paradigm. It represents a move toward real-time, farmer-centric innovation that addresses challenges before they escalate into crisis.

As debates around ethical AI and sustainable agriculture continue to evolve, the focus is increasingly on equity and impact, not just efficiency. For global agriculture to benefit from the AI revolution, experts say the conversation must move beyond potential and start prioritizing access.