Microsoft Open-Sources its ‘Farm of the Future’ Toolkit that Combines Wireless Networking, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud, and Edge Computing to Develop Rich Geospatial Insights for Agriculture and Sustainability

17/11/2022

The use of AI is applicable in places some would never even think of. In this case: Farming.

Roughly 30% of supply of the entire global supply of fresh water is used by agriculture, which unfortunately, is also responsible for emitting a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions. As farmers rely on predictable weather to keep their farms running smoothly, unforeseen weather can make it difficult for farmers to cope with the consequences of climate change.

FarmVibes is a Microsoft tool that predicts temperatures and wind speeds, informing farmers when and where planting and spraying should occur. Also assists in determining ideal planting depth based on soil moisture.

Microsoft’s FarmVibes project aims to use artificial intelligence to help farmers design the farms of the future.
Microsoft’s Project FarmVibes will open-source their research tools so they can be used outside of Washington to address critical food crises. Recent developments in precision and sustainable agriculture are reflected in these tools.

Data-driven agriculture is a promising technique to address these challenges. Microsoft hopes these tools can provide farmers with AI and data to improve their farming skills and assist them in sustainably producing nutrient-dense food.

To tackle the issue of technology connectivity in rural areas, FarmVibes uses Connect, a Project FarmVibes solution that Microsoft hopes eventually open source. Connect works in a novel way; through TV white spaces, the unused spectrum that flickers as “snow” between channels provides broadband connectivity.