Researchers at QF’s HBKU developing AI technology to boost food security in Qatar
THE emerging field of artificial intelligence (AI) can help countries improve their food security, especially in places like Qatar that import majority of their food products from outside, according to Dr Tareq Al Ansari, assistant professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Science and Engineering.
“While Qatar has significantly ramped up its production of vegetables, meat and dairy products, a large percentage of our food is still being imported. The availability and stability of food supply are still of particular concern. Therefore, it’s important to develop data-driven strategies to secure multiple sources from where food is acquired through robust and diversified supply chains,” said Dr Al Ansari, whose research focuses on the water-energy-food nexus and sustainable development.
“There is a need for informed, insightful and preemptive decision-making processes in the field of food security, and we strongly believe AI can enable this and play an important role for a more sustainable and resilient future in the local food sector.”
Al Ansari is closely working with the Qatar Center for Artificial Intelligence (QCAI) at Qatar Foundation’s (QF) HBKU to develop latest AI tools and technologies to enhance food production in Qatar. This involves using satellite imaging through drones, data sets from large farms and analysis of food supply chains to identify risks and opportunities.
“There is scope for new opportunities within the AIenabled food system in Qatar, including (a) precision agriculture to manage large farms efficiently (b) high-quality and nutritious crop breeding (c) early warning of pest invasion and crop diseases, and (d) increased transparency in food supply chains, with waste minimisation and reverse logistics,” added Dr Al Ansari.
According to Dr Sanjay Chawla, research director at QCAI, AI-generated data about food systems help governments around the world make wise decisions and policies.
“Reports about yield estimates are routinely created and sent to different government officials, aggregated up to the political leadership and decisions made based on them, like what to import, how much to import and how much export to allow,” said Dr Chawla.