17% of farmers are already using AI on their farms
Generative artificial intelligence is gradually becoming a common tool for farmers. Already, 17% of the farmers surveyed use AI in their farm operations, although only 4% are currently purchasing paid solutions. At the same time, farmers are not ready to fully trust the technology and still rely much more on agronomists.
Generative artificial intelligence has already begun to transform not only offices and tech companies but also work directly on farms. Farmers are using it for everyday tasks related to crop cultivation, machinery, planning, and data analysis. This is according to the Global Farmer Insights 2026 report by the consulting firm McKinsey. Researchers surveyed 5,500 farmers from ten countries. The survey was conducted from April to July 2026. For the first time, the survey included specific questions about farmers’ attitudes toward generative AI.
According to the study, 17% of farmers are already using generative AI for tasks related to farm operations. At the same time, only 4% pay for solutions based on this technology. Moreover, this does not necessarily refer to specialized software for farmers. Paid solutions may also include standard subscriptions to popular AI services. Generative AI is most prevalent among farmers in North and Latin America. In the U.S., the use of such tools is growing particularly rapidly. McKinsey notes that the pace of AI adoption there is already comparable to the fastest examples of other agtech implementations.
Why Do Farmers Need AI?
For now, generative AI does not replace tractors, combines, or other equipment. Its main advantage lies elsewhere—it helps process information quickly and solve specific problems. Farmers can use these tools when planning their work, analyzing equipment data, or searching for information on crop cultivation or crop protection. In other words, AI is gradually becoming another digital assistant on the farm.
This is especially important for farmers right now, when costs remain high and prices for agricultural products don’t always allow for easy increases in spending. Therefore, farmers are looking for technologies that can deliver tangible benefits, rather than just appearing cutting-edge. McKinsey notes that, in general, farmers are currently watching their budgets very closely. Costs for fertilizers, energy, labor, land, equipment, and financing remain high or unstable. As a result, farmers are more likely to postpone major purchases and want to understand exactly when a new technology will pay for itself. This is precisely why AI has a certain advantage over more complex technologies. Using it doesn’t necessarily require buying a new machine or overhauling the entire farm. In many cases, simply gaining access to the right service is enough.
Farmers Are Not Yet Ready to Fully Trust AI
Despite the rapid spread of the technology, farmers remain cautious about it. Only 6% of respondents cited generative AI or AI-powered search as a reliable source of information for decision-making. In other words, they are already using the technology, but that does not mean they are ready to unconditionally entrust important decisions to it. For example, when it comes to choosing a crop protection product, fertilizer, or other agricultural inputs, farmers still want professional advice.
Agronomists play the most significant role here. 56% of farmers cited them as one of the main sources influencing decisions regarding the purchase and use of products. They remain particularly important for younger farmers. In other words, the situation does not look as though AI is coming to the farm and immediately replacing people. Rather, farmers use it as an additional tool, but they often want to have their final decision reviewed by a specialist who knows the specific farm and its conditions.
The Internet Is Becoming More Important
It’s not just farmers’ attitudes toward AI that are changing. In general, they’re increasingly turning to the internet to search for information. According to McKinsey, 31% of respondents use digital channels to search for information about agricultural products. An even larger share—36%—use them to evaluate and compare products. This figure has risen by 14 percentage points over the past two years.
In fact, farmers are increasingly able to independently review product specifications, compare several options, check reviews, or find additional information even before speaking with a salesperson. Against this backdrop, the role of sales representatives is also changing. Their influence on farmers’ decisions worldwide has decreased by 11 percentage points. At the same time, agronomists and other technical specialists remain important, as they can assess the situation while taking into account the specific conditions of the farm. This means that farmers aren’t simply shifting from traditional advice to AI. They’re gathering information from a wider range of sources. The internet and AI help them find the data they need more quickly, while experts help verify whether that information is actually suitable for a specific field.
Money Remains the Key Factor
The popularity of new technologies is growing amid a challenging economic situation in the agricultural sector. According to McKinsey’s estimates, after peaking in 2021–2022, agricultural commodity prices have fallen, while costs for fertilizers, labor, land, equipment, and financing have remained high or volatile. As a result, farmers have become more cautious about spending money.
In such conditions, technology must prove its value. Farmers do not want to buy solutions simply because they are new or trendy. It is important for them to understand whether a specific tool will help them save money, increase yields, make better use of equipment, or reduce risks. This approach applies not only to AI. McKinsey notes that, in general, farmers remain interested in innovations, but the solutions that receive the most attention are those that solve a specific problem and easily fit into the farm’s existing workflow. Therefore, the current trend can be described quite simply: farmers aren’t rejecting new technologies, but they want to see real results from them.
AI Has Not Yet Replaced Experience
The study’s findings show that artificial intelligence has already made its way into agriculture, but it is still too early to speak of a complete shift in approach. Farmers are actively trying out new technology, using it to search for information and perform everyday tasks. However, when it comes to issues that could directly affect the harvest or the farm’s finances, they remain cautious.
And this is a key aspect of the current AI boom. The technology is becoming just another tool in the farmer’s arsenal, rather than a complete replacement for their experience. McKinsey predicts that future demand for such solutions will depend primarily on how well they can demonstrate their practical value. If AI helps farmers make decisions faster, conserve resources, and manage their farms more effectively, its use will likely continue to grow.
For now, however, the figures reveal an interesting balance: 17% of farmers already use generative AI, but only 6% are willing to call it a reliable source for important decisions. The technology has already become part of many farmers’ work, but the final say still rests with people and their experience. This is discussed in the “Global Farmer Insights 2026” report by the consulting firm McKinsey.
