WUZHEN, CHINA — November 8, 2025 — Artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful ally for global agriculture, enabling farmers to make more informed and efficient decisions. During the 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, World Bank expert Parmesh Shah emphasized how AI-driven solutions can enhance productivity and sustainability in rural economies worldwide.
AI Tools Deliver Precision and Efficiency to Farmers
According to Shah, the integration of AI-powered advisory systems allows farmers to receive real-time insights tailored to their specific conditions. Through intuitive mobile chat interfaces, farmers can ask questions such as how to adjust fertilizer application based on soil quality, weather, and crop health.
“These systems democratize access to agricultural knowledge,” Shah explained. “A farmer with a smartphone can now tap into a global network of expertise without needing formal training.” By leveraging machine learning and data analytics, AI tools are bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern, data-driven agriculture.
Data-Driven Agriculture Enhances Global Food Security
AI adoption in agriculture is seen as a key component in addressing rising food demand and climate uncertainty. Shah noted that data-driven digital farming can help smallholders improve yields, manage resources sustainably, and reduce costs.
“AI enables farmers to make decisions at the right time and scale,” he added. “By optimizing fertilizer use, predicting pest outbreaks, and monitoring water availability, farmers can improve efficiency and minimize waste.”
The World Bank has identified digital agriculture as a critical pillar of rural development, particularly in developing economies where access to agronomic expertise is limited. Programs integrating AI with satellite imaging and sensor networks are already being piloted across Asia and Africa.
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Boosting Productivity Through Real-Time Insights
Beyond predictive analytics, AI systems are transforming how farmers manage day-to-day operations. Tools using natural language processing and image recognition can detect early signs of crop disease, recommend preventive treatments, and even automate irrigation based on soil data.
Shah emphasized that these advancements are not meant to replace human expertise but to enhance it. “Farmers still make the key decisions,” he said. “AI simply provides them with clearer insights and faster feedback.”
Global Collaboration for Sustainable Farming
At the Wuzhen Summit, Shah urged policymakers, startups, and international organizations to collaborate on expanding access to digital tools. He argued that scaling AI in agriculture will require partnerships between governments, private technology firms, and development banks.
“Technology alone won’t solve agricultural challenges,” Shah said. “We must ensure affordability, accessibility, and education so that innovation reaches every farm, from large commercial producers to small rural families.”
The Road Ahead for Agricultural Innovation
The World Bank plans to continue supporting nations that integrate AI and data analytics into agricultural policies. Upcoming projects will focus on improving supply chain transparency, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and developing AI training programs for rural communities.
As global demand for food rises, experts agree that leveraging artificial intelligence could become one of the defining strategies to safeguard food security and promote environmental sustainability.
