Yara and IBM launch data exchange platform for farmers

Yara International and IBM invite farmer associations, industry players, academia and NGOs from the food and agriculture industry to join a movement to develop an open data exchange that facilitates collaboration around farm and field data, with the aim of improving the efficiency, transparency and sustainability of global food production.

Be paid in return for sharing data

The Open Farm & Field Data Exchange aims to bring data together from various players to address concrete issues and enable innovation. According to the companies, sharing data allows farmers to receive higher value services and to be paid in return for sharing their data.

Use of the open data exchange platform can also make it trustful for farmers and value chain players to meet potential regulatory requirements.

_{Terje Knutsen, Yara EVP Sales and Marketing:}

The transition towards a more sustainable food system requires data-driven customised solutions for every field and farm

“It is our collective responsibility to overcome siloes and work together to bring innovation to the way we produce food. The transition towards a more sustainable food system requires data-driven customised solutions for every field and farm. Trusted data sharing is one key element where we can jointly make a difference which will benefit all, from farmers all the way to end consumers,” says Terje Knutsen, Yara EVP Sales and Marketing.

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Use of the open data exchange platform is to make it easier for farmers to track and report information based on local regulations. – Photos: IBM

Define principles and practicalities of data collaboration

Yara and IBM invite early movers from the agriculture and food industry to jointly pilot concrete test cases and define the principles and practicalities of data collaboration. Participants will contribute to the development of a food ecosystem that is designed to enable data-driven innovation, addresses changing consumer preferences and reduces the environmental footprint of food production.

Focus on farm and field data management

The initiative will be building on the learnings and technology foundation established in the context of the Yara-IBM partnership, which was launched in 2019 as the 2 companies joined forces to connect and support farmers around the world.

The initial focus of the joint work lies on farm and field data management as well as data-driven, joint innovation for farmers, which is already successfully launched in various markets across the world.

_{Mark Foster, senior vice president, IBM Services and Global Business Services:}

We believe the agriculture industry needs to invest in exponential technologies such as AI, IoT, and big data

“When IBM and Yara developed the first digital farming collaboration, we centered around a joint vision to make a real difference in increasing global farming yields in a sustainable way,” said Mark Foster, senior vice president, IBM Services and Global Business Services.

Transforming global food system

“We believe the agriculture industry needs to invest in exponential technologies such as AI, IoT, and big data to help address climate change and population growth as it threatens the world’s ability to produce enough food. Together with Yara, we are taking a major step towards transforming the global food system by inviting all food value chain players to join this collaborative movement to help feed the world more efficiently and sustainably.”

The Open Data Exchange, from Yara and IBM, is established to address the complexity of today’s food system, where every farm plays a critical role in meeting rising global food demands.