A New Frontier for Farmer.Chat: Enhanced Smallholder Farmer Support with OpenAI’s Operator Research Preview

At Digital Green, our mission is to empower smallholder farmers with localized, real-time agricultural advice that fosters productivity, resilience, and growth. With over 250,000 farmers and extension workers across India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ethiopia already benefitting Farmer.Chat, we’re constantly improving to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

From Tailored Advisory to True Agency

OpenAI’s Operator is an advanced functionality that performs tasks on behalf of its users. As  Operator becomes available in the API following its research preview, we will integrate it into Farmer.Chat to unlock its power as an agent for smallholder farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), going beyond providing hyperlocal advice to delivering actionable solutions faster and more efficiently. With Operator, Farmer.Chat will be able to complete more tasks and take actions —all in the user’s preferred language. 

Imagine a farmer seeking help to improve soil fertility and boost crop yields. Currently, Farmer.Chat assesses the farmer’s specific crop type, soil condition, and local weather patterns. It then delivers a tailored recommendation for specific amounts of fertilizer for optimal results, along with detailed application instructions. 

But with Operator, Farmer.Chat won’t stop there – it will go further by helping  the farmer purchase these fertilizers near their farm, displaying comparison pricing at a range of local suppliers for the type and amount of fertilizer the farmer wants to purchase, further simplifying the path from problem to solution.

“As we learn more about Operator during its research preview, the goal is for Farmer.Chat to become a true partner that bridges the gap between advice and action – understanding individual farmers and connecting them to local solutions in real time.” – Rikin Gandhi, CEO

Empowering Smarter Decisions for Resilient Farmers

The upcoming API integration of Operator after its research preview marks a new chapter in the Farmer.Chat journey. By combining advanced decision-making capabilities with local insights, Farmer.Chat will be better equipped to address farmers’ needs and improve their livelihoods. Whether it’s making smarter fertilizer choices, addressing crop issues like pest and diseases, or finding the best price for their crop at the market, Operator makes the support Farmer.Chat provides farmers faster, easier, and more precise.

During the research preview, Digital Green will share insights and feedback on Operator’s reliability and impact with OpenAI. As with any new AI-powered tool, OpenAI and Digital Green will work together to ensure Operator can serve its users and their communities optimally before broader rollout. 

We remain committed to helping farmers and FPOs achieve greater success, productivity, and resilience. Together, we’re building a future where every farmer has access to the knowledge, tools, and services they need to thrive.