By Jasper Raats
Artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense potential for South Africa’s emerging and small-scale farmers – not just in improving productivity, but also in unlocking much-needed access to finance, Karidas Tshintsholo, CEO of agri-tech company Khula!, told delegates in his keynote at the recent IFPA Fresh Solutions conference in Mbombela.
“AI can provide a level of technical support to emerging farmers that’s typically only accessible to large-scale commercial operations,” said Tshintsholo. “It allows us to close long-standing efficiency gaps by giving smallholders access to tools that were previously out of reach.”
During a live demonstration, Tshintsholo showcased a new AI-powered tool his team developed that diagnoses plant diseases using nothing more than a photo.
“A farmer can snap a photo of a struggling crop and the AI will identify the issue, recommend products to treat it and even provide details on the active ingredients needed,” he said.
Bridging the financing gap
One of the biggest hurdles facing emerging farmers is securing financing. Traditional credit assessments often exclude small-scale farmers who lack collateral or a long financial history.
“AI allows us to feed financial institutions with alternative data insights, enabling them to make better credit decisions,” Tshintsholo explained. “By analysing input purchasing patterns, field performance data and yield predictions, AI helps lenders understand the viability and potential of these farmers.”
Khula has already implemented this model in partnership with institutions like ABSA. In one notable case, a female farmer scaled her operation from 200 ha to 500 ha thanks to AI-driven credit assessment – a result that would have been impossible under traditional banking criteria.
“We’ve seen how data-driven decision-making can open doors to funding that would otherwise remain closed,” Tshintsholo said, adding that AI tools can also improve productivity by automatically generating plans and recommendations, saving farmers time and improving decision-making.
“AI’s ability to provide accurate, personalised advice on demand empowers smallholders to reduce risk and improve outcomes.”
Tshintsholo is confident that AI will play a pivotal role in transforming the agricultural landscape for the better.
“By embracing AI, small-scale farmers can increase efficiency, boost yields and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry,” he said.
The message is clear: AI is not just a tool for big agribusinesses – it is a transformative opportunity for the next generation of farmers. With the right support, emerging farmers can build resilient, scalable and sustainable operations driven by smart technology.
