LEVERAGING MENTORSHIP TO FACILITATE AI-DRIVEN PRECISION AGRICULTURE AMONG AGRI-SMES IN BAMENDA, NORTH-WEST, CAMEROON

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the role of mentorship in facilitating the adoption of AI-driven precision agriculture among agri-SMEs in Bamenda, Cameroon. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 212 randomly selected agripreneurs. A quantitative research design was adopted, and hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis with Ordinary Least Squares estimation. The findings reveal that mentorship programs have a positive and statistically significant influence on the adoption of AI-driven precision agriculture (β = 0.387, p < 0.01), while structured coaching plans exhibit a positive but insignificant influence (β = 0.134, p = 0.081). The study concludes that mentorship serves as a critical catalyst for facilitating AI-driven precision agriculture adoption among agri-SMEs. The study recommends that agricultural organizations invest in structured mentorship programs integrating AI literacy and ensure coaching plans incorporate practical AI application training.