TL;DR:
- Hawaii-based company Smart Yields and Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center were selected for the USDA innovation grant.
- “CoffeeMD” computer vision platform aims to identify damage to coffee crops using AI and machine learning.
- A $100,000 grant from the AI Innovation Fund was awarded to support the project.
- Smart Yields CEO to step down as the project expands the capabilities of the Best Beans app.
- Smart Yields aims to revolutionize farming with AI and machine learning for faster and more accurate plant problem diagnosis.
Main AI News:
Hawaii-based agriculture technology firm Smart Yields, in collaboration with the Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, has been chosen as one of only five teams nationwide to receive an innovation grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This grant is specifically focused on advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in the field of agriculture.
Smart Yields and its partners proposed the development of a cutting-edge computer vision platform called “CoffeeMD,” which aims to rapidly identify the causes of damage in coffee crops, such as pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. This innovative solution has secured $100,000 in funding from the AI Innovation Fund under the USDA’s Agriculture Research Service.
The significance of this project lies in the fact that coffee is the second most valuable agricultural commodity in Hawaii. However, with over 1,000 coffee farms across the state and just one assigned extension agent, the ability to provide on-site assistance to farmers is severely limited. Melissa Johnson, an ARS research biologist and the principal investigator of the AI/machine learning project, emphasized the urgent need for growers to quickly identify issues in their fields without relying solely on extension agents or sifting through lengthy online documents.
While the concept of artificial intelligence has captured the public’s imagination through new and powerful language models, Smart Yields CEO Ryan Ozawa highlighted that the machine learning models they will be deploying had been thoroughly tested and proven. These models have the potential to outperform humans in diagnosing plant problems, making them a valuable resource in the global effort to revitalize farming as a key economic driver and an essential part of sustainable communities.
The successful launch of the “CoffeeMD” project, which expands the capabilities of the existing Best Beans app, will mark a significant transition for Smart Yields. CEO Ryan Ozawa will step down from his position, and lead founder Vincent Kimura will resume the helm for the company’s next phase of growth and innovation.
Ryan Ozawa assumed the role of CEO in January 2021, while Vincent Kimura served as the director of programs and partnerships at the University of Hawaii Office of Innovation and Commercialization. In 2022, the university relaunched its incubator under Kimura’s leadership. Smart Yields was founded in 2015 by Ozawa, Kimura, and Isar Mostafanezhad, the CEO of Nalu Scientific, a prominent high-performance computer chip designer.
Conlcusion:
Smart Yields’ selection as a grant recipient for their AI-driven “CoffeeMD” project is a significant development in the market. The utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning to rapidly identify and address issues in coffee crops demonstrates the potential for advanced technologies to transform the agriculture sector. This innovation has the power to enhance the efficiency and productivity of farming practices, contributing to economic growth and sustainability. Smart Yields’ strategic focus on leveraging AI positions them as a key player in the ongoing transformation of the agriculture industry.
