Abstract

Global warming significantly threatens water sustainability, creating an urgent crisis for irrigation systems. As the global population rises, innovative strategies are required to ensure food security amid extreme weather conditions. This paper investigates how artificial intelligence (AI)-powered precision agriculture can transform urban crop farms (CF) to enhance sustainability. We developed a robotic CF prototype utilizing deep reinforcement learning to optimize seeding, irrigation, and maintenance based on real-time sensor data. Experimental results demonstrated a 26% increase in crop yield, a 41% reduction in water consumption, and a 33% decrease in chemical use. Beyond technical efficiency, qualitative assessments through stakeholder interviews revealed that AI-enabled farming strengthens social cohesion and urban well-being. The adoption of such technologies fosters resilient food supplies while minimizing agriculture’s environmental footprint, providing a scalable model for sustainable food production within modern smart cities.