Advancing Smart Farming and Climate Forecasting through Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things for Namibian Smallholders

This study addresses the critical challenge faced by small-scale farmers in Namibia who lack access to timely and accurate meteorological information. The research develops an agrometeorological prediction system utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The system forecasts essential weather parameters such as temperature and humidity by deploying IoT sensors to collect real-world climate data and training predictive models. An interactive chatbot has also been developed to disseminate early warnings effectively. The pilot prototype demonstrated an impressive accuracy rate of 98.2%. The findings suggest that this system can significantly aid small-scale farmers in optimizing crop planning and pesticide use, ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity.