San José, Costa Rica, 3 July 2025 (IICA) – The arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) marks a major revolution in agriculture that is already underway and presents an opportunity to enhance productivity, sustainability, and the quality of life for farmers. Public and private sectors will need to work together to ensure that this potential is realized and that no one is left behind by the new technology.
The paths to achieving these goals were explored by experts during a session of the Advisory Council for the Transformation of Agri-food Systems (CATSA) of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). The Council is composed of individuals who have made significant contributions to the agri-food sector from public, private, and academic spheres. It serves as a forum for dialogue, bringing diverse perspectives to the table on how to strengthen and transform agriculture in the Americas.
During the discussion, participants emphasized the need for the integration of AI to be an inclusive process, with special attention given to small-scale and family farmers. It was also stressed that AI should not be seen as an end in itself, but rather as a means to transform agriculture with a focus on value chains.
The main speakers were José Emilio Guerrero, professor at the University of Córdoba, Spain (UCO), who focuses on applying AI to modernize agriculture; Carlos Alzate, AI expert and CEO of AI Fund, which advises startups on the development of machine learning technology; and Rosa Gallardo, Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Agriculture Chair at UCO.
The discussion was introduced by Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA, and Hugo Chavarría, Manager of the Innovation and Bioeconomy Program and Coordinator of IICA’s Directorate of Technical Cooperation.
Otero highlighted that the session was convened as part of IICA’s commitment to continue promoting the democratic integration of the technological revolution into agriculture. “AI must benefit everyone, and above all, our farmers—with no one left out. The true potential of AI will be realized when it helps us tackle our greatest collective challenges.”
“The alliance between AI and agriculture is not only about production efficiency; what is at stake is the future we deserve for agriculture as a strategic actor in our sustainable development models. The question is not whether we will use AI or not, but rather what kind of AI we are going to build based on our identity, our culture, and who it will serve,” he added.
The quality of data
All three speakers agreed on the importance of data quantity and, especially, quality, so that AI can fulfill its potential to make agricultural cycles more productive for rural communities and build more efficient, productive, and inclusive farming systems.
One of the current obstacles to the necessary AI-agriculture alliance in Latin America and the Caribbean is the lack of a unified regional position on appropriate governance. Only 7 out of 19 countries analyzed in a study presented by José Emilio Guerrero have active AI policies; the rest, due to changes in political leadership or a lack of progress, do not.
Guerrero noted that positioning AI as a catalyst for sustainable development in the region will only be possible if the AgTech ecosystem is optimized in a responsible and inclusive way.
“The main objective should be to identify opportunities, detect gaps, and define concrete actions to foster the virtuous development of AI in agriculture, the agri-food chain, and rural development in Latin America. It is essential to promote regional cooperation and the creation of local capacities,” he added.
A fast-paced revolution
Rosa Gallardo emphasized the magnitude of the change brought about by the rise of AI. While agriculture has undergone other major transformations, she noted that the particularity of this revolution is its accelerated pace.
“AI,” she explained, “is not just a technological innovation; it is a cultural shift that will impact the entire agri-food system. It is a transformation of multiple dimensions.”
Gallardo—who holds a PhD in Agricultural Engineering from UCO and is a full professor in the university’s Department of Agricultural Economics—stated that in this context, it is important to build trust by clearly communicating what technology can and cannot do, and to listen carefully to farmers to understand their needs.
She said that AI is already a reality in agriculture, but much remains to be done, and she stressed the importance of partnerships: “This is not a road we can travel alone. To fully leverage the potential of AI in agriculture, we must work together to train, demonstrate, and provide support.”
Carlos Alzate, who actively promotes technological innovation in Latin America, emphasized the importance of data for AI to work effectively in agriculture, but also the crucial role of human involvement.
“I would say,” he stated, “that data is the fuel and computing is the engine, but you still need a human to drive the machine. In the future, AI will not replace people; it will be a symbiosis in which human activity enhances AI performance.”
Alzate presented studies showing that companies that have adopted AI have significantly increased their productivity and that there has been a sharp rise over the past year in the use of AI—particularly generative AI.
As for the impact and scope of AI in agriculture, he mentioned areas such as production optimization, efficient resource use, pest and disease control, automation and agricultural robotics, as well as farm business management.
More information:
Institutional Communication Division.
comunicacion.institucional@iica.int
