Farmyard AI—high-tech solutions for sustainable agriculture

The Fraunhofer Center for Biogenic Value Creation and Smart Farming, based in the German State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, commenced work at the start of 2022. This move ties in with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s goal of extending the scope of its applied research, in particular by strengthening collaboration between Fraunhofer institutes across multiple geographic sites. The aim in this instance is to help the agricultural and food industries transition to more sustainable operations. For example, smart data-based technologies can contribute greatly to security of supply, climate protection, and animal welfare. To develop solutions of broad applicability, the participating institutes in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania—Fraunhofer IGD and Fraunhofer Institute for Large Structures in Production Engineering IGP—are working hand-in-hand with regional research partners, local businesses and universities.

At Fraunhofer IGD, the team currently comprises three researchers, with plans to expand their number to up to 25. Experts in agricultural economics, biology, engineering sciences, and data processing and visualization will work across specializations to develop new technologies along the entire value chain—from the seed to the end product for the consumer. These include, for example, solutions for the remote monitoring of fields, digital twins of cowsheds for enhanced animal welfare, and camera-based methods of determining the aggregate biomass of farmed fish. The aim of all these solutions is to make the most efficient use possible of existing resources, while supporting sustainability and the decarbonization efforts of Germany’s agricultural sector. Ultimately, the goal is to strengthen agriculture in the long term and ensure a secure food supply—to safeguard the future of our society.