THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Researchers from the University of Queensland have highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing the challenges of feeding a global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. The researchers are exploring how AI can accelerate the development of high-performing plants and animals for more sustainable and profitable farming practices.
There are four key areas where AI can be applied in agriculture and animal husbandry.
Firstly, AI can assist breeders in decision-making by analysing consumer preferences and complex environmental factors to determine which plants and animals to use for crossbreeding or the next generation.
Secondly, large-scale images can be analysed using AI to capture genetic variation and traits in plants and animals, aiding breeding efforts.
Thirdly, genetic markers can be used to predict the quality of breeding varieties based on their traits, allowing for more informed choices.
Finally, AI can help identify optimal crossing paths and combine useful genetic segments while developing new and superior genotypes.
By combining AI with rapid breeding, researchers can produce superior genotypes in just one or two years. The application of these approaches has already started in wheat and barley projects supported by organizations like the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Integrating AI and rapid breeding with genomics can revolutionise plant and animal breeding by utilising large datasets to more rapidly combine traits influenced by multiple genes. This combination has the potential to accelerate the development of better agricultural and livestock products.
The research, published in the Journal Nature Biotechnology, represents an important step towards more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices to meet the future food demand. By harnessing the power of AI, researchers hope to address the challenges posed by increasing population, climate change, and pests and pathogens.
The potential of AI to improve decision-making, image analysis, genetic prediction and breeding pathways has significant implications for the agricultural industry. Combining AI with rapid breeding and genomics can pave the way for a new agricultural revolution and ensure a more sustainable and food-secure future for all.
