[Nouakchott, Mauritania] 13-15 February 2024 - The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), in partnership with COMSTECH (Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC), the Mauritanian Government represented by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Research, and the National Agency of Scientific Research and Innovation, along with other esteemed partners, has conducted a significant three-day Training Workshop titled “The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Precision Agriculture for Food Security.”
Bringing together a diverse audience of over 70 government officials, researchers, academia, and representatives from the private sector and industry from 9 OIC Member States including Mauritania, Algeria, Egypt, Mali, Qatar, Türkiye, Pakistan, Niger and Uganda the event has been set to accelerate progress in farming methods using artificial intelligence. The primary focus of the workshop is to acquaint participants, particularly from Mauritania, with cutting-edge practices in utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and agri-technologies for precision agriculture, thereby bolstering food security initiatives.
Distinguished speakers from leading institutions in OIC geography shared insights on topics ranging from spatial management of irrigation facilities to the application of information technology and AI in agriculture. Participants have engaged in interactive sessions, exchanging experiences, and exploring practical applications of AI in addressing critical issues such as water management, pest control, and soil health. The workshop also delved into the role of AI in enhancing agricultural extension services and modernizing traditional farming practices.
Key highlights include presentations on predictive technologies for soil moisture, real-time information on weather conditions, and AI-enabled solutions for crop classification and monitoring. The event underscored the importance of collaboration among government officials, researchers, academia, and industry representatives to drive innovation and sustainability in the agricultural sector.
On the final day, attendees were poised to deepen their understanding of smart agricultural solutions and strategies for scaling up traditional extension services. The IOFS delegation, consisting of the Program Manager Mr. Bakytzhan Arystanbek and experts of Dr. Elsayed Elazazi and Dr. Mehmet Erdogdu, were able to have meetings with representatives of Ministry of Agriculture of Mauritania and National Center for Agricultural Research and Development of Mauritania to discuss on possible cooperation in potential projects on local vegetables production through cost-effective greenhouse technologies and utilization of satellite data for irrigation and digital agriculture management.
The collaborative efforts of IOFS, COMSTECH, the Mauritanian Government and other partners underscore a collective commitment to fostering innovation and knowledge exchange in agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to sustainable food security and socioeconomic development across the region.
