At the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit held in London, Syngenta unveiled its groundbreaking Cropwise AI, a generative AI system aimed at enhancing the capabilities of agronomic advisors and growers. This innovative platform is designed to optimize crop management practices, ultimately leading to improved yields, sustainability, and profitability for farmers. By harnessing advanced machine learning algorithms and comprehensive data analytics, Cropwise AI provides growers with invaluable insights and enhanced decision-making tools.
The backbone of Cropwise AI lies within the Cropwise Insight Engine, which boasts a rich library of agronomic models. This resource includes over 20 years of weather data, detailed soil conditions, more than 80,000 crop growth stage observations, and historical yield data derived from both research and on-farm trials. By integrating this wealth of information with Syngenta’s extensive agronomic expertise, Cropwise AI delivers tailored recommendations in an easy-to-understand natural language format. This feature is particularly beneficial for growers navigating complex decisions regarding input applications, product placements, and pest and disease management.
Feroz Sheikh, Syngenta’s Chief Information and Digital Officer, emphasized the significance of Cropwise AI in the company’s digital transformation journey. “By combining our deep agronomic knowledge with cutting-edge AI capabilities, we are bringing the power of GenAI to agriculture and empowering growers to make data-driven decisions,” he stated. The platform’s capabilities are expected to help farmers increase their yields by up to 5 percent through Syngenta’s seed recommendation models.
The launch of Cropwise AI follows the earlier introduction of GHX 2.0, which integrates the new AI capabilities to fully leverage farmer data. The updated GHX 2.0 app allows users to pose questions about products and agronomic challenges, including high-impact diseases such as Tar Spot. This integration marks a significant step forward in providing actionable insights to farmers.
Key features of Cropwise AI include seed recommendation and placement, predictive modeling, and precision agriculture. The seed recommendation feature utilizes advanced predictive algorithms to offer tailored insights on seed products, while predictive modeling forecasts crop growth and yield potential based on real-time and historical data. Precision agriculture recommendations aim to optimize input applications, thereby minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.
Looking to the future, Syngenta plans to expand Cropwise AI’s functionalities further. Upcoming features include advanced disease and pest management capabilities that will employ computer vision and image recognition technologies for early detection and precise management strategies. Additionally, sustainability analytics will be integrated to help quantify the environmental impact of farming practices and provide actionable suggestions for reducing carbon footprints.
The implications of Cropwise AI extend beyond individual farms; they signal a transformative shift in agricultural practices. Elizabeth Fastiggi, Global Head of Agriculture at AWS, remarked, “Cropwise AI is an industry-leading example of how GenAI can address critical agricultural issues. Syngenta has revolutionized decision support, giving farmers easy access to expert advice.” This partnership aims to enhance yields and optimize productivity across the agri-food system, reflecting a broader trend of integrating advanced technology into agriculture.
Currently, Cropwise AI is available to select customers in the United States and Brazil, with plans for expansion into Europe in the near future. As Syngenta continues to innovate in the agricultural space, the insights shared by Feroz Sheikh at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit promise to shed light on the future of AI-driven solutions in farming, emphasizing the importance of building trust in these technologies.