The University of Sharjah (UoS) and IBM are celebrating the next stage of advancements for the “My FarmWell” mobile application, a collaborative project designed to support sustainable agriculture in water-scarce regions. This new phase introduces significant enhancements to expand the app’s global relevance and improve user experience.
An AI-Powered Tool for Water Conservation
The My FarmWell app is a key project within the global IBM Sustainability Accelerator program. Its primary purpose is to provide farmers with crucial, farm-level insights to help them manage water resources more effectively. The platform integrates IBM Environmental Intelligence and the University of Sharjah’s “Welly Chatbot” to offer tools for optimizing irrigation, understanding local water regulations, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
The Next Phase: Global Expansion and New Features
The latest advancements mark the app’s next phase of development, with a focus on expanding its capabilities for a global audience. The new features include:
- Interactive maps showing well locations.
- Improved educational content focused on groundwater conservation.
- Push notifications that deliver climate-resilient farming tips.
- Access to global groundwater well-level and quality data for users outside the UAE.
A Strategic University-Industry Collaboration
This initiative highlights a powerful partnership between academia and the global tech industry. The University of Sharjah leads the project’s research and development, while IBM provides the core technology and support through its Sustainability Accelerator program. Dr. Adewale Olalekan Giwa, Assistant Professor at the University of Sharjah and the project’s Principal Investigator, noted that the enhancements “align with the mission of the University of Sharjah and IBM Sustainability Accelerator, which supports technology-driven projects that address pressing environmental issues.”
About the Partners
- University of Sharjah: A leading research and academic institution in the UAE, with a strong focus on contributing to sustainable development through scientific research and innovation.
- IBM: A global technology corporation that runs the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, a social impact program that applies IBM technologies to help populations vulnerable to environmental threats.
Looking Ahead
The continued development of the My FarmWell app is a prime example of how the UAE’s academic institutions are collaborating with global technology leaders to create tangible solutions for pressing environmental challenges like water scarcity. With its new global-facing features, the app is poised to support sustainable farming practices not just in the region, but around the world.
Source: Zawya
