By Violet Ochieng’ ISPA's Kenya Country Representative March 2025   The status of precision agriculture in Kenya is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in technology such as drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. The country has witnessed increased adoption of precision farming techniques aimed at optimizing input use, improving crop productivity, and addressing challenges such as climate change and food security. Various stakeholders, including research institutions, private sector players, and policymakers, are actively working to scale up precision agriculture solutions through research, training, and policy development.   Currently, approximately 20% of agricultural technology companies in Kenya are involved in drone-based solutions for precision agriculture, focusing on aerial imaging, crop monitoring, and precision spraying. Research organizations contribute about 15% to precision agriculture innovations, mainly through studies on AI-driven analytics, soil health assessment, and precision irrigation models. However, farmer adoption rates remain relatively low, with an estimated 10-15% of commercial and large-scale farmers utilizing precision agriculture tools, while smallholder adoption lags due to cost constraints and limited technical knowledge.   A series of conferences have provided a platform in 2024 for discussions on the role of emerging technologies in agriculture. The Drones and AI Conference held in March 2024 focused on the integration of AI-powered analytics and drone technology to enhance farm management practices. Experts shared insights on how AI-driven models improve decision-making through data analysis, while drones facilitate precision spraying, crop health monitoring, and mapping. The African Elevate Summit in June 2024 brought together innovators and policymakers to explore agricultural digital transformation, emphasizing the need for collaboration in ensuring accessibility and affordability of precision technologies. The 3rd African Conference on Precision Agriculture (AfCPA) took place from December 3-5, 2024, with a main site in Marrakech, Morocco, and regional satellite sites, including Kenya. Discussions revolved around enhancing sustainable farming through technology, soil health optimization, AI ...more