Artificial Intelligence for Climate-Smart Agriculture: A Review of Applications in Yield Prediction, Weather Forecasting, Irrigation Management and Pest and Disease Detection

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly disrupting agricultural systems worldwide through more frequent extreme weather events, shifting rainfall patterns, and rising temperatures. These changes contribute to reduced crop yields, unstable food supplies, and heightened production risks, especially in vulnerable developing regions. In response, ClimateSmart Agriculture (CSA) has been developed as a strategic framework to improve agricultural productivity while enhancing resilience and promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices. Within this framework, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a transformative tool capable of supporting data-driven agricultural decision-making. This review systematically synthesizes recent literature on AI applications in CSA, focusing on four key thematic areas: crop yield prediction, weather and climate forecasting, irrigation and water management, and pest and disease detection under climate stress. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2026 were retrieved from Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and Crossref. A total of 170 studies were initially identified, of which 58 highly relevant articles were selected following screening based on relevance, quality, and thematic alignment. Findings indicate that AIbased systems significantly improve predictive accuracy, optimize resource use, and enhance early warning capabilities across agricultural systems. Machine learning, deep learning, remote sensing, IoT, and big data analytics are widely applied to support precision agriculture and climate adaptation strategies. However, key challenges such as data scarcity in developing regions, high implementation costs, limited farmer adoption, and climate uncertainty continue to constrain widespread adoption. The review concludes that AI holds strong potential to transform CSA by improving productivity, resilience, and sustainability. Nonetheless, its effectiveness depends on the development of accessible, affordable, and context-specific solutions supported by strong policy frameworks and improved digital infrastructure.