Big data poised to transform the global food chain
To achieve food and nutritional security, for present and future generations, an agricultural transformation is not only required. It is vital.
Photo by A. Lane / Bioversity International
We are under no illusion that the world population is exponentially expanding and is expected to hit 9 billion by 2050.
It is only natural then that this projected populace will place more and more stress on the already strained food and nutritional resources available to the globe, relegating some regions of the world to perpetual susceptibility to hunger and malnutrition.
The effects of climate change that result in unpredictable seasons and increased frequency of extreme weather events – mostly because we are already hitting the ecological limits of our universe – only make it more difficult to sustain agricultural production.
The situation is further aggravated by the diminishing of arable land suitable for agricultural production as a result of the exchange of farmlands for high rising buildings and cities through rapid urbanization.
To achieve food and nutritional security, for present and future generations, an agricultural transformation is not only required. It is vital.
The use of big data can birth unconventional and innovative solutions leading to a significant and sustainable increase in agricultural production while minimizing the environmental footprint of farming. possible to feed the world quantitatively and qualitatively with high quality and nutritious food. Big data is poised to transform the global food chain.
Big Data Solutions
Crop yield
Transformation of the agricultural landscape has a long list of needed metrics. But one of the most important aspects is the increase in crop yields. The synthesis of data from a wide variety of sources can inform scientific crop improvement.
Similarly, actionable information from the growing pile of data can lead to crafting better seeds that can then increase crop yields. It is imperative that big data solutions in this area be emphasized since half of the increase in global food production, so far, can be attributed to genetic improvement.
Precision farming for resource conservation
Of equal importance to agricultural transformation are the increased levels of precision in farm inputs application.
In this regard, real-time sampling of soil that is run through spatial data sets can be used to predict the current fertilizer requirements for a farmer’s crops.
These insights can be helpful to tame runaway input costs experienced in a myriad of farms. Also, information from sensors and monitors that are complemented by soil moisture data can be used to optimize the utilization of water resources, hence minimizing wastage of this ever-important resource.
New capabilities in the collection of weather data additionally help farmers schedule irrigation programs for their crops. This enables them to limit the use of water only to seasons when it is needed and informs them when to employ water harvesting techniques, increasing water conservation.
While mechanization is central to ensuring improved yield, proper capacity utilization of tools and overall equipment effectiveness are critical factors that need to be considered.
Sensors and trackers are becoming more common in farm equipment and the data transmitted to the farmer can provide insights on operational efficiency on matters that border on equipment leasing, sharing, timely scheduled maintenance and in the minimization of the equipment energy usage.
Combatting pests and disease
In regards to crop pests and diseases, the twin data-driven services of plant monitors and real-time leaf and stem imaging give early signs of infirmity through predictive analytics. They can even provide insights on the measures to combat them.
This will help manage the spread of pathogens that create catastrophic losses to the farmer, hopefully relegating this threat to a thing of the past.
Finance tools to influence food value chain
Big data application is not only limited to primary production but can go further to influence the entire food value chain.
Take agricultural lending for instance. Through historical lending data analytics, financial models that provide alternative credit scoring can be used to rate agricultural enterprises.
It is true that the financial sector views the agricultural sector through the skeptic’s lens of high risk. However, big data is already playing a huge role to structure incentive and risk sharing algorithms, as well as models for the development and private sector, to unlock the financing needed for smallholder family farms.
Wastage
There are more benefits. Post-harvest losses represent 1/3 of all food produced, amounting to almost $ 1 trillion, which could be substantially reduced by applying big data strategies.
Drones can patrol fields and provide useful data on crop maturity.Traceability systems also can provide useful information on farm products moving through the supply chain.
In addition, the proliferation of technology powered by big data makes it possible to improve the packaging and labeling of food products while also detecting spoilage through monitoring the gases emitted by canned food products.
In essence, all these predictive and forecasting insights, combined with the real-time solutions based on data, can improve a farmer’s decision-making capabilities. As a consequence, integrated and enhanced strategies and systems for agricultural production can come to fruition.
Big data is poised to catalyze agricultural transformation, making it possible for plants to thrive in changing climatic conditions, enabling an increase in productivity and the achievement of food and nutritional security and, in addition, deliver high quality and safe food for the global populace.
Data analytics will drive farmers’ decisions on what to plant, when to plant it and even how to plant these crops, affecting both profitability and sustainability.
Big data technology can, therefore, help engineer agricultural transformation characterized by a steady rise in yields, similar to the one experienced in the 1960’s.
Smallholder farmers from around the planet, at the very least, are desperate for this kind of transformation.
Victor Mugo
Blog Competition Entry
This article is published as a part of our publicly open big data blog competition. If you have enjoyed this reading this entry, you can vote by liking, commenting or sharing.
The next level of transformation that will steer great yields
Change is vital for our future generation. This information would be of importance if put into practice
Insightful!!!
This is the transformation we need.
Well researched
well researched!
True
Great insights Victor
Very informative, if this data could be incorporated I believe it would help in addressing the food security situation in Kenya and other African countries currently and in future. Would also be useful for the African countries in reference to their agenda of coming up with a Free Trade Area. Kudos Vic.
That’s a nice project
Nice job Victor
This a great contribution in the agricultural field.
Thanks Gideon
Wonderful work..keep it up
Wonderful article
Very informative article
Good job Victor
Transformation we desperately need.
Great insights. No more symposiums or conferences, too many strategy meetings going on…we need to implement such actions. Step by step as we correct along the way. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
comment thank you Kami
The challenge we can envision on execution of this amazing strategy is the human resource having a short term goal plan. We ought to be in it to win it. then it will work. great read.
I’m keen on the outcomes of this discussion. Kenya is currently leading in Africa in the implementation of and usage of IT technology.
Great piece
Impressive
I totally agree, great insight and solutions right there
Sure Kevin, Thank you a lot
Big data is a game changer. Thank you for the insights Victor
Could not put it better. Thank you Victor
Well done Victor
Well researched article. Can big data provide policy makers with timely information to ensure optimum
decisions on export and import of agricultural produce
Truly, big data is poised to transform how farmers do their business.
Good Work Victor
Impressive !
Great Article. My question is, how do we move from the hype to impact ?
Very insightful! Informative
Keep on Victor
My brother bring that award home
Great staff, keep it up
Nice article Victor
Bid data technology will help smallholder farmers.
That’s true Grace.
Start the campaign and spread the Information.
I believe the tone for the campaign has been set on this platform. That is why we are thankful to have the support of 13 agricultural research institutions in the CGIAR family actively engage on this campaign
Bigup big brother Victor you are doing it well
Thank you Richard.
Great and Impressive!
Awesome. The article is written to perfection. This is the transomation we all need.You are creating the future.
Thanks Pravin
That was very insightful. Thanks alot
Transformative thinking indeed. Farmers however need to be supported / empowered to utilize the data for their benefit including the small scale farmers.
This is the next foray that stakeholders should venture into. Making sure that big data works for the smallholder farmer so that they can harness its benefits
Amazing Victor!!
what an interesting read!
Very informative article keep it up Victor
Comment
Nice article Victor!.Keep up the good work. Very informative
this article is very informative and real. just what the world needs at such a time. 👏👏👏👏
Time is ripe for a green revolution and big data will play a significant role towards this aspiration
Incredible
That’s all it is
Superb….cool article.
This is quite informative.
Big question is, how can we get to implement this through education of the smallholder farmers whose reach to such information is limited?
First, I think the media is a very important tool. It Is estimated that every family farm.has access to atleast one frequency radio. Useful Information can therefore be passed on to the audience
Secondly, The proliferation of mobile technology to a high percentage of family farms carries with it immense potential to change the way farmers receive information.
It has already been proven as a useful tool in communication in the access of subsidized fertilizer in Nigeria and the same is being replicated in Kenya. It might as well prove to be the silver bullet.
And lastly Joan, I am sure extension services can be provided to smallholder farmers. Extension officers are usually very close in.proximity to many farmers and benefit from a relationship.of trust with the farmers. Using such people, information can trickle down.the value chain to the most important actors in crop production
A job well done!!
Insightful read, the industry players in Africa should consider its application
This is awesome, and will go a long way in ensuring our people dont sleep hungry
I appreciate this writing. The way to go.
People rarely talk about food. Big thanks to you king of KUCC Victor Mugo.
food is at the core of every human being. How prudent that we are talking about the basic need for human survival
Great insightful piece..
The agricultural transformation knowledge we need to know and implement. Thank you Victor for the insights. I love it.
It’s really exciting to see the youth taking leadership in driving the big 4. If all political factors are kept constant, it will transform lives in a big way.
Big up Victor. Keep informing …information is power!
Great insight! Check out our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TumainiInnovationCenter/
and kindly write about our practical utility vehicle we are fabricating with street youth at Tumaini Innovation Center to support low income farmers.
If it ends the cartels in the name of brokers as well and opens up markets for farmers all over Africa with the new trade laws then am all in for big data. Today’s scenario of farmers wasting thousands and thousands of tomatoes because they would rather throw than sell at a throw away price and many more scenarios that never get documented should be eliminated. Death to cartels, rise of wealthy farmers.
For Markets, imagine a case where predictive and forecasting insights could depict the size and quality requirements for different markets. Farmers would use this insights to determine when it is right to plant, what quantities to grow and even could have the knowledge of areas with high demand for certain products. This are examples of market solutions based on big data !
I can read it again and again.
continue Victor
A good one
Good research, this will actually help our farmers
Twede kazi kaka.great ideas there from Victor my contemporary at YALI
Good article …educative and transformative…this is reality…keep it up victor mugo
Impresive, nice one
This is the transformation we all need.
This is the transformation that smallholder farmers are desperate for
Well put article.
“imposible is nothing”
#Big Data..
Just what the world needs now,it’s an important piece and will be major contribution to the diminishing agricultural sector to say the least.
Through Big data application we can have increased crop production and hence limiting the diminishing of this very important sector
Awesome article you have here
I see you have poured yourself into the research.
If I may add, when we have the big data, we need to be able to put it out there in the best way it can be of use to those who need it the most .
Good work
Once we are able to put these insights into use, it will be possible to feed the world quantitatively and qualitatively with high quality and nutritious food
This will help our community move forward.make it happen
Great article to read
“impoosible is nothing”#Big Data
Simply put. Small holder problems, big data solutions
Good read..
Pretty informative
Ur the future Al eyes on u keep it up God bless the work of ur hands
Great Article and quite informative
Inspiring article. Keep it up
Great article.
Very informative
What an informative piece on agricultural transformation, keep going 👏👏
Thank you Martha. Big data may be the missing link in agricultural transformation !
Awesome article.
Awesome!…good thoughts and a very informative article.
This is a well thought out strategy though the key is always the implementation.
Kenya and the rest of Africa requires such ideas in order to feed her citizens
I concur with you fully. However, the challenge has been that we lack contextualized data, which can be helpful to the farmers, and the sector in general, for decision-making.
Awesome,keep it up.
That’s true practising farming cultivation can improve Agriculture that can transform the global food chain
wow! congratulations
Thanks Mary
Its is informative and seems legit
Very educative.
Well written article!
awesome blog keep it up bro
Well articulated bruh
Well explained facts.
Great article!
‘To achieve food and nutritional security, for present and future generations, an agricultural transformation is not only required. It is vital.’
so true.. Like the blog
A topic that definitely needs to be given attention to as it was stated in the beginning some of our countries need to start considering agricultural transformation vital to the development of their countries.
However some of the statistics need to be backed up with references.
Keep moving Victor. “Passion is the beginning of success” Unknown
Thank you Favie. Growth of the national economy is highly correlated to growth and development in agriculture. That is why agricultural transformation is vital
I like the practicality of the suggestions you have made on how big data can be used to improve crop yields
Big data has a variety of applications through out the value chain. As such, it has much more capability to catalyze agricultural transformation.
Very informative… Good job
Great insights that can drive a call to action. Great piece
I agree that as stakeholders we need to move from discussions and deliberations to action.
Thank you for your insights as well.
Goods insights there
The article is informative and in simplified manner… Awesome.
Informative blog thats shows both the experience of the blogger and his passion for providing insights to food and nutrition security
Awesome blog post
Very informative!!!
To achieve food and nutritional security, for present and future generations, an agricultural transformation is not only required. It is vital.
I found this profound!!
In Kenya for example, agriculture is the major contributor to the nation’s economic performance. It is the leading economic sector, accounting directly for more than 25 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). The sector also accounts for 65 per cent of Kenya’s total exports as well as providing more than 18 per cent of formal employment.
In the case such a nation would realize agricultural transformation, the ripple effects can be outstanding not only to its GDP but in reducing unemployment to the scores of unemployed youth.
This article is very much interesting all the best.
All the best
Nice work. Keep it up!
The article is very informative and interesting
Excited that big data can make the world food secure
Dear Viktor,
I agree with you. From application in crop production, to combating pests and diseases, to precise allocation of input and mechanization resources, to markets and finally distribution, packaging and transportation; big data can truly be a game changer to enable the world be food secure
Amazing.
Thank you Irene
Very insightful information.
I’d say that the information is very direct, precise and understandable.
Work well done.
Nice piece. Well informed
wow.Quite knowledgeable. I like
A good read, insightful and an eye opener…
Research is clearly well conducted. Smart thinking too. This should definitely be implemented in our agricultural sector.
Awesome!
Agricultural Transformation is a hot topic across the globe currently.
This article is informative and elaborates the points in a succinct & simple manner.
Big Data for Big Yields! #BigDataBigYields
Hello Amanda,
I hope that we can now move from discussion to action to really achieve this agricultural transformation
Kind regards,
Victor
The Government & Public Sector need to be vested in Big Data in order for us to move from theory to action.
I believe that predictive and forecasting insights, combined with the real-time solutions based on data, can improve a farmer’s decision-making capabilities
It’s a good idea because entrepreneurs can now deliver solutions to small-size African farms at cost models that farmers can afford.
Wow
Impressive!
The farmers also need to be trained to understand the usage of the technology.
Informative and precise
Too many words but seems legit🙂
Hello Spenser,
In a nutshell, i just wanted to highlight the application of big data across every facet of the agricultural value chain. Thank s for your kind comments.
This is article is awesome and informative!!!
Well stated
well written article. All the best in the competition.
well written article. All the best in the competition
Watch ing
Great
I can only use one word for it GREAT
Good. Thought s
Big data has a variety of applications in the whole global value chain
That’s true Muturi. Smallholder problems are well covered by big data solutions !
Truly, big data has the potential to transform the global food chain
Sure it does Jacqueline !
Awesome blog. Keep it up
Thank you Onerva