The Rise of AI in Global Agriculture
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way crops are cultivated worldwide. From drones detecting pests to platforms calculating precise irrigation for each plant, the so-called “agriculture 4.0” is becoming a tangible promise to boost productivity, cut costs, and tackle climate change challenges.
Facing the Growing Food Demand
By 2050, the global population will reach 10,000 million people, and Mexico’s population will be 150 million, according to FAO projections. This implies a 70% higher demand for food compared to current consumption levels. In this context, adopting technologies like AI is crucial to address the food and climate challenges.
AI’s Impact on Mexican Agriculture
Although less than 15% of Mexico’s agricultural land is digitized, AI has already shown benefits. According to Technological Capabilities for the Adoption of New Technologies in the Agri-Food Sector of Mexico, there have been operational cost savings of up to 20% and productivity increases of up to 15% in technologically advanced crops. For instance, smart systems in the Chihuahuan Desert optimize irrigation for walnut and grape cultivation. In the Bajío and Baja California, producers of tomatoes and berries have incorporated platforms like FieldView for mapping yields and improving efficiency.
Concrete Results in the Food Industry
AI is also generating tangible results in Mexico’s food industry, which has grown 90% over the past decade and now exceeds one billion pesos in value. Experts like Carlos Chiang, CEO of Neurotry, assert that AI has reduced food safety risks by 34% and between 25% to 70% food waste, representing significant progress for an industry that loses 31 million tons of food annually. Moreover, predictive models now allow pathogen detection with up to 98% accuracy, optimizing product lifespan and strengthening traceability by 29%.
A Global Trend: Precision Agriculture
In the United States, See & Spray technology reduces herbicide use by up to 90% by detecting weeds in real-time. In India, over 27,000 farmers use mobile apps for personalized recommendations that have increased their income by 6%. Dutch potato farmers achieve 20 tonnes per hectare using drone and sensor data, double the global average.
Youth Innovation in Agriculture
Young innovators are also making strides. The Rurusi project, a global technology competition finalist, uses a chatbot to guide Sierra Tarahumara farmers with five-year predictions. In Jalisco, the AgroScan app detects agave pests using drones and algorithms, potentially preventing up to 10% of losses from infestations.
Benefits and Challenges
AI’s benefits in agriculture are clear: increased productivity, reduced input costs like water or fertilizer, and better responses to climate events. Bayer estimates its digital tools have saved over 5.7 million cubic meters of water per cycle in Mexico. A chili producer in the State of Mexico avoided crop loss due to an AI-generated frost alert.
However, high technology costs, rural connectivity issues, and insufficient training are the main challenges. In Ensenada, a ranch had to disable smart sensors on tractors due to the lack of 5G coverage. Additionally, a generational gap persists: many older farmers distrust these tools.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current state of AI adoption in Mexican agriculture? Less than 15% of Mexico’s agricultural land is digitized, but AI has shown benefits such as 20% operational cost savings and 15% productivity increases in technologically advanced crops.
- How does AI impact the food industry in Mexico? AI has reduced food safety risks by 34% and food waste between 25% to 70%, along with enabling pathogen detection with up to 98% accuracy.
- What are the challenges for wider AI adoption in Mexican agriculture? High technology costs, rural connectivity issues, and insufficient training are the main obstacles. A generational gap also exists, with many older farmers distrusting these tools.
Mexico’s Path to AI Agriculture
Mexico is far from countries like the Netherlands or China in AI agriculture adoption, but it has strengths: an export-oriented agroindustry, innovative young talent, and replicable success cases. The key lies in fostering partnerships between government, universities, and technology companies. As an expert puts it, “technology doesn’t replace the farmer; it gives them superpowers.”
