Pakistan China Joint Lab Advances Smart Agriculture in Punjab

Summary:
In May, the Pakistan China Joint Lab for Artificial Intelligence and Smart Agriculture (AI&SA) was established at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF). Located in Punjab, Pakistan’s main agricultural region producing 76% of the nation’s grain, the lab aims to pilot high-throughput crop monitoring projects. Around 600 farmers are participating in the project, which utilizes drone technology for tasks such as crop health monitoring and pest analysis. This initiative is expected to increase productivity and reduce costs, promoting intelligent agriculture.
Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor UAF, highlighted the potential of drone spraying technology to transform agriculture in Punjab’s 25,000 villages. Despite initial skepticism from local farmers like Mohammad Malik, the project has demonstrated practical benefits such as accurate water and fertilizer management, which can lead to higher yields.
Given Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change and its significant agricultural sector, the joint lab’s work is crucial. With a team of experts and international support from entities such as the World Bank and the Asian Disaster Management Center, the lab aims to use AI to improve food security and tackle climate-related challenges.