Agricompas

Agricultural Data Analytics: Knowledge and decision support

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New year, new rice season

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By Sam Adams, Head of Programmes

Over the last month or two the Agricompas science team have been making visits to rice fields in the Tolima region in Colombia. Travelling the five hours from Bogotá, the journey is a reminder of just how big this beautiful country is.

The two scientists are using these trips to better monitor, understand, and support the collection of accurate crop data. Inspections of soil and water took place, as well as looking at our cutting edge technology that collects weather data as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

These trips are in close collaboration with another member of the EcoProMIS project consortium, Fedearroz. Their technicians were on hand to demonstrate data collection techniques and to reflect on best practices and quality control measures.

Dr Gil and Dr Bojacá inspected the rice crop, which is just starting to germinate. This is the fifth cycle of rice crop data that the EcoProMIS project is collecting from both the Tolima and Casanare districts.

The rice seed in Tolima is just starting to germinate

In addition to these five cycles of data, we have access to a much larger historical database of rice farming, and our team is combining this information in order to create and strengthen our crop model. This model is thus becoming more reliable (‘robust’) as we add more data, including phenological, weather, and satellite imagery.

As we prepare to enter the fifth year of the project, it is exciting to see how a huge amount of collected data has now been  processed through our science and IT work into useful practical outputs that will directly benefit farmers.

Via mobile apps, these growers are able to access yield calculators and other tools to help them maximise their farm output and move towards our shared goal of sustainable optimisation.

Our science team will continue to make these regular visits as the project grows from strength to strength and we look towards rolling out this unique service to rice growers in Colombia and elsewhere.

Experts from the Reading Cocoa Group share knowledge and insights with smallholder cacao producers in Colombia

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Cacao beans. Photo Credit, FEDECACAO

By Deborah Foy, Agricompas

The Reading Cocoa Group is a globally important centre for cocoa research and a leading force behind the development of more sustainable cocoa farming practices. Led by Professor Paul Hadley, the Reading Cocoa Group focusses on quantifying yield-determining processes in cocoa, particularly in the context of climate change. A key focus is higher productivity and greater resilience to unfavourable climatic conditions.

In December 2019, Professor Paul Hadley and colleagues joined a field trip to Colombia. They participated in high-level discussions with Agrosavia around the impact of climate change on cacao production and travelled to Rionegro in Santander to meet farmers and partners participating in the ‘Digitisation of Cacao’ project.

Led by Agricompas, ‘Digitisation of Cacao’ is funded by the Prosperity Fund’s AgriTech Catalyst. The project aims to use digital technologies to boost Colombia’s huge potential to become a major global cocoa producer. The University of Reading is a key partner in this innovative, multi-stakeholder partnership. Over a period of 18 months, the University will bring its international expertise in crop modelling to improve the sustainability of the cocoa sector in Colombia.

Professor Handley (right) visiting a cocoa field trial site in Rionegro, Santander together with Agricompas CEO Roelof Kramer (left)

Professor Hadley comments: “Cacao farmers in Colombia are hampered by a lack of scientific knowledge and analysis on the crop at farm level. The platform being developed by the project partners will allow for the storage, monitoring and analysis of various climatic and soil factors – all of which have the capacity to influence the optimal growth and production of cacao. Combined with further advances in machine modelling and artificial intelligence, this will enable farmers to optimise cocoa production, enhancing their commercial viability.”

Professor Hadley continues, “It’s exciting to see the potential that is realised when you harness the power of data. But in tropical environments such as the ones I visited on my trip to Colombia, collecting accurate data is not without its challenges. We’re working alongside other partners in the consortium – and applying the latest in digital technologies – to see how best we can respond to this challenge and translate data into knowledge and insight.