Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly present in agriculture and livestock farming, sectors seeking to improve their profitability and energy efficiency. Córdoba is hosting the 4th International Congress on Artificial Intelligence Applied to the Agri-food Chain (SembrAI 2026), an event examining the current state of this technology, the required investment, and its payback period.
The congress, held at the Rectorate of the University of Córdoba (UCO), is promoted by the European Foundation for Innovation and Technology Application (Intec). Its president, Juan Francisco Delgado, expressed his desire for Córdoba to become the permanent headquarters of the event, highlighting its strong agri-industry, university research, and cooperative network.
This year, India is the guest of honor. The organization estimates a direct economic impact of between two and four million euros for the city, thanks to the attendance of over a thousand people.
“"We observe that the implementation of artificial intelligence in the primary sector is growing progressively, but not at the same rate in larger agri-food companies as in smaller ones."
According to available data, the use of technological AI improvements in large agri-food companies in Spain stands at 45%, while in medium or small cooperatives, this figure drops to 20%. The leading autonomous communities are Madrid, Galicia, and the Basque Country, with Andalusia at the national average.
AI offers numerous possibilities for the agricultural sector. In irrigated farms, such as the 130,000 hectares in Córdoba, it can reduce water consumption by up to 30% without affecting productivity, allowing irrigation only when the plant needs it.
In the area of phytosanitary products, AI can decrease spending by up to 50%. This is achieved by collecting data that enables preventive treatments when the first symptoms of pests appear, as seen with mildew in the vineyards of Montilla-Moriles last year.
Other applications include crop yield prediction based on climatic and market factors, and robotics for harvesting tasks, addressing the growing difficulty in finding labor for the sector.
In livestock farming, AI, through drones, helps monitor animal health, predict diseases, and improve product traceability.
Juan Francisco Delgado, the head of SembrAI, noted that farmers and ranchers are increasingly receptive, but the initial investment is the main bottleneck. Therefore, he called for more financial support from public administrations to facilitate this technological transition.
