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Dimitra agritech company and the state AI-Assa Agriculture Project have signed an agreement to introduce innovative technologies to Libyan farmers, Maged Elmontaser, Dimitra Incorporated MENA Regional Director told Libya Herald.
The AI-Assa Project is one of the agricultural and animal development projects established by Libya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. The project consists of 520 farms, each with approximately 10 hectares of land and multiple crops. The project had stopped operating since 2014 and earlier this year the government reactivated it.
The agreement entails using Dimitra technology to increase farmers’ yields and profits, reduce costs, and mitigate risks. The plan aims to reduce the use of water and fertilizers needed to produce crops grown by the farmers in the Al-Assa Project. These crops are: wheat, barley, other fodder cereals for animal feed, grapes, palm trees, pine trees and olive trees.
Dimitra explained that farmers growing these trees, specifically olive and palm trees, often face challenges surrounding pests and seasonal diseases. By using Dimitra’s Connected Farm App, farmers have access to satellite technology as well as Dimitra’s pest and disease management solution to help combat these challenges.
Using Dimitra’s technology
Equally, Dimitra’s satellite imagery and remote sensing tools allow farmers to gather valuable information about their farms and make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilizers, and other farming operations.
Dimitra’s technology provides detailed insights utilizing artificial intelligence, sensors, and satellite imagery. For example, it can analyse soil pH levels and identify pests and diseases affecting the crops. This information enables farmers to take appropriate actions in a timely manner. For example, adjusting irrigation schedules, applying fertilizers when needed, or implementing pest control measures.
Minimising use of resources
By utilizing these technologies and tools, farmers reduce unnecessary resources, such as water and fertilizers, leading to cost savings and more sustainable farming practices. Detecting pests and diseases early on can help prevent or minimize crop losses. As a result, this leads to increased yields and improved overall productivity.
To illustrate, the system uses data collected from AI, weather, pH levels, time since fertilization, and soil conductivity measurements to predict how much nitrogen the soil has. It can also indicate how much there will be in the next few weeks.
Initially, the AI-Assa Project is giving 120 of their farmers access to Dimitra’s technologies. Commenting on the agreement, MENA Regional Director Maged Elmontaser said “Al-Assa Agriculture Project is considered one of the most important projects that maintains sustainability and food security for the country. Overall, Dimitra Connected Farmer Platform offers farmers a powerful set of tools to optimize their farming operations, make informed decisions, and enhance their productivity and sustainability.”
Naseer Ben Adala, Al-Assa Agriculture Project Coordinator and Manager, said, “We are thrilled to share this strategic partnership with Dimitra Technology. It aims to set foot on the path of digital transformation at the Ministry and enable Libyan farmers to access modern Ag-technologies.”
230 participate in the First Conference on Digital Agriculture in Libya (libyaherald.com)
