Barbados leads the way in global agriculture innovation by pioneering the use of an AI advisor to enhance sustainability and preservation efforts at a national level.
In a collaborative effort to support the sustainability and growth of its agricultural sector, the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC), a statutory corporation of the Ministry of Agriculture Food and National Security of Barbados partnered with global agtech company AGRIVI to introduce an innovative AI-driven advisory platform to improve productivity and sustainability of national agriculture.
The AI Agronomic Advisor is a virtual AI agronomy expert available to all farms in Barbados via WhatsApp at any time. It serves as a direct channel between BADMC and the farming community, offering consultation, knowledge and active involvement in critical agricultural matters.
The AI-powered platform brings immediate benefits to farmers through simple communication and instant access to advice, knowledge and necessary information on agriculture, financing and subsidies, local government support and more. It also encourages active cooperation between BADMC and farmers through proactive sharing of information, education and upskilling in embracing digitalisation.
“The introduction of the AI Agronomic Advisor marks a significant advancement for our agricultural sector,” stated the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security of Barbados. “By leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, we are empowering thousands of farmers with access to real-time knowledge and advice, which is crucial to enhance their productivity and sustainability and for the growth of our national agriculture.”
The initiative is designed to enhance productivity and sustainability in Barbados’ agriculture by democratising access to knowledge and advice for all farms. Providing widespread access to this innovative tool on a national scale signifies a substantial milestone and achievement for Barbados, where agriculture serves as the backbone of the economy.
“Governments have a major role in helping farms to improve the productivity, sustainability and livelihood of farms in their countries. AGRIVI Engage AI Advisory platform is specifically designed to provide immediate access to knowledge and advice to every farm no matter their size, at any time, via channels they already use and are familiar with,” Matija Zulj, founder and CEO of AGRIVI said.
AGRIVI, one of the global agtech pioneers with over a decade-long experience in digitalising agriculture in over 50 countries, brings cutting-edge technology utilising generative AI and expertise that enhances Barbados’ capacity to lead in sustainable farming practices. The partnership underscores a commitment to equipping farmers with tools that promote efficiency and profitability while advancing food security goals. The introduction of the AI Agronomic Advisor also marks a significant milestone in Barbados’ agricultural landscape, signalling a new era of technology-driven support for farmers and sustainable agricultural development.
This piece was initially published on AGRIVI and has been revised to suit Farming First’s editorial guidelines.