Intersection of AI, agriculture, and sustainability

  • 8 minutes

The world faces a critical challenge: producing enough nutritious food to support a growing population while conserving our planet's resources. By 2050, food production must increase by 70% to feed an estimated 9.3 billion people—all while contending with limited resources like water and land. To meet the increasing demand, agriculture needs to continue its long legacy of developing tools and technologies that make food production more efficient.

FarmBeats for Students is an innovative, hands-on educational program that directly introduces students to data science, AI, and other next-generation technology concepts through the lens of agriculture and sustainability.

Photo of a teacher and student using digital sensors on a plant.

Cultivating these skills in today's learners ensures they can play a leading role in developing and applying these tools. FarmBeats for Students is designed to make this as easy and exciting for educators as it is for learners.

How data and AI are transforming agriculture

Next-generation technologies are transforming agriculture. For instance, farmers are increasingly using digital sensors to collect data on variables like soil moisture, sunlight, and air temperature. Computers are helping analyze that data and identify patterns and make predictions that help allocate resources like water, pesticides, and fertilizer more efficiently, lowering costs while also reducing environmental impacts. These and similar practices aimed at measuring and managing conditions at a granular level are sometimes referred to as precision agriculture, data-driven agriculture, or similar terms.

For example, in the United States, a farmer manages 8,000 acres using precision agriculture. By combining drone imagery with sensor data, the farmer can:

  • Monitor field conditions acre by acre instead of treating entire fields uniformly
  • Make targeted spray decisions based on real-time data
  • Adapt quickly to extreme weather conditions, like record-breaking dry and wet years
  • Reduce costs by using fewer resources

The agricultural industry around the world needs skilled workers to navigate challenges like food security, resource conservation, and business efficiency.

What is FarmBeats for Students?

FarmBeats for Students is a comprehensive STEM education program that makes precision agriculture accessible to learners. Through an affordable hardware kit and a free curriculum package, learners gain practical experience with emerging technologies that are transforming modern farming. The best part is that educators don't need any prior experience with these technologies to successfully guide learners through these valuable experiences.

Image of a farmer using a mobile device in a farm field with graphics of data tables around them.

FarmBeats for Students is inherently interdisciplinary. Concepts and curricular resources can be incorporated into a wide range of STEM classes. For example, an educator can use FarmBeats for Students to:

  • Build a plant-monitoring system with environmental sensors
  • Track real-time data like temperature, light, and moisture conditions
  • Use software to analyze and visualize big data sets
  • Understand what "machine learning" is and how it can be used to help with challenges like detecting nutrient imbalances in plants
  • Connect their learning to local farming and environmental challenges

FarmBeats for Students is written for educators by educators and aligns with key educational frameworks:

Learn more with the FarmBeats for Students program overview.

Getting started is easy! Find more information at www.aka.ms/FBFS.

Ready to explore the curriculum? The next unit is an overview of resources and implementation guidance.