AI-Driven Agriculture Highlighted as Key to Food Sovereignty
Experts emphasized that the widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological innovations is essential to ensuring national food sovereignty and building resilience against climate change.
International research conference hosted by Haramaya University under the theme: “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Health, and Tourism” brought together prominent researchers and scholars from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and across Africa.
In his opening remarks, the President of Haramaya University, Dr. Jemal Yousuf, noted that the forum serves as a platform to present global research findings related to climate change. He explained that these studies provide critical insights into which technologies should be prioritized to elevate the agriculture, health, and tourism sectors.
Dr. Jemal added that the discussions focus on leveraging AI and modern innovations to reverse the negative impacts of climate change, specifically addressing declining agricultural productivity and emerging public health challenges.
Haramaya University’s Vice President for Research and Community Engagement, Dr. Yishak Yousuf, highlighted that the institution’s research outputs are increasingly serving as vital inputs for policymakers to solve national challenges.
“In this year alone, we have released 12 policy briefs focusing on agriculture, health, trade, and tourism,” Dr. Yishak stated. He assured that the research currently being presented will undergo expert review before being submitted to policy-making bodies.
Attending the conference, the President of Wollo University, Dr. Awol Seid, commended Haramaya University for its irreplaceable role in the agricultural sector. He noted that the conference serves as a significant knowledge-sharing platform for other universities as well.
Similarly, Dr. Dejene Girma, representative of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), asserted that integrating indigenous knowledge with modern technology is the only viable path to combating climate change. He emphasized that such international forums are crucial for developing sustainable solutions.
Currently, various research papers are being presented and discussed. The conference program is also expected to include field visits to showcase practical innovations.
Tags: Agricultural Innovation, Agriculture, AgTech, AI in Farming, Artificial Intelligence, Crop Management, Data-Driven, Food Security, Food Sovereignty, Food Systems, Machine Learning in Agriculture, Precision Agriculture, Rural Development, Smart Farming, Sustainable Farming
