NEC Corporation is collaborating with Sumitomo Corporation to launch an innovative agricultural support service, utilizing artificial intelligence to boost crop yields and enhance resource efficiency amid the growing challenges posed by climate change. This partnership aims to transform farming practices in nations such as Brazil, India, and Thailand, leveraging NEC’s tech expertise and Sumitomo’s extensive agricultural network. The service initially focuses on sugarcane, with plans to extend to grains like wheat and soybeans, using AI to offer insights for optimizing agricultural production, conserving water, and reducing fertilizer usage, all manageable via smartphones or computers.
This venture isn’t merely a reaction to the increasing demand for agricultural efficiency; it’s a proactive approach to counter the impact of climate extremes on crop production. NEC’s AI applications have already proven successful in Italy, significantly lowering water usage and increasing tomato yields, showcasing the potential of sustainable agricultural transformation through technology.
NEC envisions a major uplift in its agri-tech business revenue by 2025, positioning itself in a rapidly growing market where tech giants like Microsoft, Bayer, and SoftBank are also making significant strides. This trend underscores a shift towards recognizing technology as essential for the future of global food production, especially crucial in an era where agriculture faces the unpredictability of climate change.
