NC Agricultural Analytics Platform Supports Data-Driven Farming – Morning Ag Clips

N.C. Agricultural Analytics Platform: Advancing Sustainable Agriculture through Data and Collaboration

Introduction

The N.C. Agricultural Analytics Platform, a collaborative initiative under the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) at NC State University, is driving innovation in North Carolina’s agriculture sector. With agriculture and agribusiness contributing over $100 billion to the state’s economy, the platform focuses on sustainable development by leveraging data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to support stakeholders and improve agricultural systems. This report highlights the platform’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing partnerships, innovation, and sustainable resource management.

Collaborative Framework and Funding

• The platform is a joint project between N.C. PSI, the N.C. Food Animal Initiative, North Carolina A&T University, and SAS, a data and AI company.
• Funded by the North Carolina General Assembly, NC State and NC A&T each received $1 million to support the platform’s initiatives.
• Brad Lewis, Program Manager, oversees the platform’s projects to identify synergies and enhance data-driven outcomes.
• Faculty at NC State are encouraged to submit project proposals, with seven active projects and four in maintenance or completion phases.

Supporting Sustainable Agricultural Research

The platform supports interdisciplinary research that contributes to several SDGs, including:

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Enhancing food security through improved crop and livestock management.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Utilizing AI and machine learning for agricultural innovation.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promoting sustainable farming practices.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – Addressing climate impacts on agriculture.

Key Projects and Technological Innovations

• BeanPACK: An agronomic soybean decision support tool that assists farmers with optimal planting and harvesting dates, promoting sustainable crop management.
• Moth Trap Sensors: Enhanced with cellphone technology to track corn earworm moth populations, improving pest management and reducing crop losses.
• Nema-AI: A machine-learning project in collaboration with the N.C. Department of Agriculture to identify nematode pests using mechanized microscopy, streamlining pest control efforts.

Long-Term Impact of Weather and Farming Practices

In alignment with SDG 15: Life on Land and SDG 13: Climate Action, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) initiated a project to analyze the long-term effects of weather and sustainable agricultural systems on crop yields and soil health.

• Utilizes a 25-year dataset from the Cherry Research Station’s Farming Systems Research Unit.
• Aims to understand how different farming systems (organic, conventional, forestry, crop-animal rotation) affect soil fertility, structure, and biological systems over time.
• Employs AI and data analytics with SAS to organize and analyze historical data for crop-specific modeling.

Innovations in Lagoon Management for Environmental Sustainability

Addressing SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, researchers are developing predictive models for nitrogen concentration in hog waste lagoons, critical for environmental protection and agricultural sustainability.

• Project led by Associate Professors Sara Shashaani and Mahmoud Sharara focuses on robust irrigation and lagoon management.
• Utilizes AI-based models with SAS Viya to simulate nitrogen levels influenced by weather and management practices.
• Enables farmers to optimize manure application timing and quantity, reducing environmental risks.
• Supports “what if” scenario analyses to improve decision-making under uncertain conditions.

Conclusion: Advancing Sustainable Development through Data-Driven Agriculture

The N.C. Agricultural Analytics Platform exemplifies the integration of technology, research, and collaboration to promote sustainable agriculture in North Carolina. By aligning with multiple SDGs, the platform supports:

• Innovation in agricultural practices and resource management.
• Improved environmental stewardship and climate resilience.
• Enhanced food security and economic sustainability for farming communities.

Through continued partnerships and data-driven solutions, the platform is shaping a sustainable future for agriculture in the region.

Source: CALS NEWS, NC State University

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article focuses on improving agricultural systems, crop yields, and sustainable farming practices, which directly relate to ending hunger and achieving food security.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Development and use of the N.C. Agricultural Analytics Platform and AI-driven tools highlight innovation and infrastructure development in agriculture.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Efforts to improve lagoon management and nitrogen concentration prediction support sustainable management of natural resources and reduce environmental impact.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Research on the long-term impacts of weather and farming practices on soil health and crop yields addresses adaptation and mitigation of climate change effects.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Focus on soil fertility, biological systems, and sustainable agricultural land use supports the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers through sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including agriculture, through innovation and increased investment.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle to minimize adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 2 Indicators
   • Crop yield per hectare (implied through research on crop yields and farming practices).
   • Income levels of farmers and agribusiness stakeholders (implied by support for decision-making and profitability).
2. SDG 9 Indicators
   • Number of projects using AI and data analytics platforms in agriculture (implied by the active projects supported by the Ag Analytics Platform).
   • Investment in research and development in agricultural technology (implied by funding and partnerships).
3. SDG 12 Indicators
   • Levels of nitrogen concentration in soil and lagoons (measured through predictive models).
   • Adoption rate of best management practices for lagoon and irrigation management.
4. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Changes in soil fertility, structure, and biological systems over time (tracked through long-term datasets).
   • Effectiveness of adaptive farming practices in response to weather impacts.
5. SDG 15 Indicators
   • Soil health indicators such as fertility and biological activity (measured through soil sampling and analysis).
   • Extent of land degradation or restoration (implied through long-term farming systems research).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: morningagclips.com