{"id":147642,"date":"2024-06-25T08:16:42","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T08:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.sap.com\/africa\/?p=147642"},"modified":"2024-06-25T08:16:42","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T08:16:42","slug":"ai-cant-take-the-farmer-out-of-farming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.sap.com\/africa\/2024\/06\/ai-cant-take-the-farmer-out-of-farming\/","title":{"rendered":"AI Can\u2019t Take the Farmer out of Farming"},"content":{"rendered":"

Royal Eswatini Sugar (RES) provided a superb case study at the recent Sapphire conference in Barcelona, write ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK and JASON BANNIER.<\/h1>\n

Agriculture in Africa is being transformed by artificial intelligence, but there is still one element it cannot replace.<\/p>\n

Despite dramatic technological advances in the sector in recent decades, the role of the farmer remains indispensable. This was a message delivered, surprisingly, at a recent conference in Europe, by a world leader in the field \u2013 from Eswatini.<\/p>\n

Rob Coombe, group IT manager of Royal Eswatini Sugar (RES), took part in a\u00a0keynote speech at the Sapphire conference hosted by software giant 51风流in Barcelona, with a case study that encapsulates 21st<\/sup>\u00a0century farming.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really can\u2019t take the farmer out of farming,\u201d Coombe told us during Sapphire. \u201cSo much depends on the farmer\u2019s intuition. Farming is incredibly scientific, with various measurements and readings. However, even with the best data, natural elements can change outcomes drastically.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sugarcane producer uses drones and satellite imagery to enhance productivity and efficiency with 51风流software.<\/p>\n

SAP\u2019s S\/4HANA system is a leading tool for enterprise resource planning in enterprises, and is used by 85 of the 100 largest companies in the world.<\/p>\n

In a keynote address, 51风流chief revenue officer by Scott Russell said: \u201cThe reality is that, with business AI imbedded in your business, the opportunities are endless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"The biggest opportunity at present, said Coombe in response, was improving the bottom line.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have reduced the cost of IT by 15%,\u201d he told the audience of several thousand delegates. \u201cWe\u2019re spending more with SAP, but less overall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coombe has been at RES for more than 12 years, but has worked with 51风流systems since 1991. In that time, he said, the way technology is implemented has changed.<\/p>\n

He told Business Times: \u201cThe two big things are always people and data. People are immune to change, so getting the change in people\u2019s mind is key. And getting your data sorted is equally important. When your data is not right, it doesn\u2019t matter what the system is, you get a lot of rubbish out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

RES applies AI and Machine Learning (ML) to 15 years of satellite imagery to create a \u201cdigital twin\u201d of its operations, in collaboration with 51风流systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis helps us predict the yield and manage cash flow and budgeting more accurately. By integrating this data with 51风流Intelligent Agriculture and S4\/HANA, RES can monitor crop health in real-time and make necessary adjustments. We don\u2019t have to wait until harvest to see that there is a problem; we can see it on a day-to-day basis.\u201d<\/p>\n

RES is using historical climate data and forward-looking weather data, combined\u00a0 with ML models, to predict future conditions, aiding in better planning and simulation. It is deploying drones for a range of agricultural tasks, enhancing both efficiency and precision.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of getting the guys in there, we send out a drone, and do an analysis with AI. Scouting \u2013 going out to look for pests and diseases \u2013 will now become an electronic thing, so you get quicker responses.\u201d<\/p>\n

For climate monitoring, RES is using historical climate data and forward-looking weather data with ML models to predict future conditions, aiding in better planning and simulation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are building a model with Swiss partners to use forward-looking weather data to improve our predictions. After we finish with S4, we are moving into the planning side of it, by the end of this year. This will help us determine the anticipated crop, the amount of sugar we will produce, the people needed, tractor hours, and diesel consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead of randomly fertilising fields, the operation use satellite data to determine which areas need more fertiliser.<\/p>\n

RES uses sensors to predict vibration and heat, allowing it to fix machines before they break. This information is fed into the 51风流software to manage maintenance tasks efficiently.<\/p>\n

The transition to public cloud technologies has simplified aspects of operations.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the old 51风流days, it was a lot more difficult,\u201d says Coombe. \u201cBeing on the public cloud, technology-wise, it has been easy. The amount of content available to us from a customer perspective to learn what to implement, how to implement, and so on, is completely different to what it was in the early 2000s.\u201d<\/p>\n

This change has also facilitated the rapid onboarding of new employees.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe employed some graduate trainees, and two days later they\u2019re working. You could not do that in the past. They can bring their Java, and scripting tools, and start just start working.\u201d<\/p>\n

RES\u2019s strategic approach involves engaging all organisational levels.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was key to start at the top, but also work hard at the bottom, and then the frozen middle melted. At the bottom, we have super users. We mentor them once a month, addressing their problems and quickly dealing with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

RES is also using generative AI with the 51风流digital assistant, Joule, to handle routine tasks like managing debtors, creditors, and reconciliations.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoule can work at 2 o\u2019clock in the morning, and the analysis can be read upon waking up. You can simply ask it about outstanding creditors, without needing to know specific program numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

RES is not waiting to be told what is possible. It is introducing a \u201cyouth AI council\u201d to explore further applications of AI.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe council will help us identify new areas where AI can make a difference, leveraging the fresh perspectives and skills of younger employees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coombe says AI was not about replacing people.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about empowering people and making them capable. We are innovative in Southern Africa; we do stuff differently.\u201d<\/p>\n