In its efforts to optimize the use of advanced technologies across economic and industrial fields, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) at Cairo ICT 2019, showcased its partnership with Microsoft to implement artificial intelligence solutions in the country’s agricultural sector. The effort is part of Microsoft ‘AI for Good’, a global initiative that supports organizations to apply AI to environmental challenges, empowering them to harness the full power of cloud computing.
The technology, showcased at Cairo ICT 2019, will see Microsoft work closely with MCIT and partners on an innovative solution that will concentrate on rationalising water consumption in the farming sector. The project team will leverage the latest artificial intelligence tools to transform current manual surveys and allocation practices. By applying AI technologies, MCIT and Microsoft will enhance accuracy in decision making and ensure resources are routed to their optimal locations.
The initiative aims to transform traditional methods of agriculture through the application of artificial intelligence techniques that contribute to rationalise decision-making to optimize the use of water resources and reduce waste. The AI for Agriculture project is being implemented in the Kafr El Sheikh Governorate, and is scheduled for completion by June 2020.
Dr. Golestan Radwan, Minister Advisor for AI, Egypt Ministry of Communications and Information Technology highlighted the importance of using artificial intelligence solutions to maximize the use of resources within the framework of the Country’s plans to achieve sustainable development. “This will enable us to analyse crop and soil data to provide a greatly enhanced decision-making platform that will eliminate over-allocation and wastage of water,” she said.
“Our work with MCIT on the AI for Agriculture project reflects Microsoft’s steadfast commitment to empower Egypt’s people, businesses and government to achieve more,” said Hisham Ali, Public Sector Lead, Microsoft Middle East Cluster. “The project will play an invaluable part in the country’s Sustainable Development Strategy. Our solution will equip stakeholders with more accurate and up-to-the-minute insights about the agricultural landscape. Soil characteristics, crop types and more will enable authorities to allocate farming water accordingly for optimal results and allow them to address national scarcity challenges while being more productive.”