Revolution in Lower Saxony: AI sets new standards in agriculture!

Revolution in Lower Saxony: AI sets new standards in agriculture!

The University of Osnabrück has launched a significant initiative to promote artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture. In a project supported by the Volkswagen Foundation, over 18.9 million euros are available for the next five years. These funds, provided through the Ministry of Science and Culture, aim to optimize the research, development and application of AI technologies in agriculture. The University of Osnabrück is leading the consortium and working closely with partner institutions, including the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute.

Lower Saxony, as one of the most important agricultural states in Germany, offers the ideal basis for this project. As part of the project, scientific findings are to be specifically applied under real practical conditions. Two cooperation regions play a special role in this: the region between Oldenburg and Münster, which is home to a flourishing agricultural economy and a strong middle class, and Braunschweig, which is known for its numerous specialized research institutions.

Insights into practice

The practical applications of AI in agriculture are already visible today. Farmer Hannes Besenthal from Uelzen uses AI to detect weeds in his onion fields. Using an AI-supported spraying machine, he can distinguish unwanted plants from bulbs and spray pesticides specifically where they are needed. This leads to a saving of 70 to 80 percent of crop protection products compared to conventional area spraying. His goal of reducing the use of chemical-synthetic pesticides in Lower Saxony by 25 percent by 2030 illustrates how AI not only saves costs but also promotes environmentally friendly practices.

The technology is supported by Niedersachsen.AI, which continues to advance the use of AI. At the same time, further AI applications in agriculture are being tested at various locations, such as Gut Helmstorf in the Plön district. This shows how increasing digitalization and the use of modern technologies can strengthen sustainable agriculture.

Challenges and future prospects

Despite the promising approaches, farmers and researchers face various challenges. Issues such as the acceptance of new technologies, unclear legal framework conditions and the often inadequate willingness to invest make the implementation of AI projects in the agricultural sector more difficult. In addition, the quality of the data collected must be ensured as it directly affects the accuracy of the decisions made by AI systems.

The answer to these challenges could lie in an interdisciplinary exchange between science, business and politics. The aim is to specifically use technologies such as AI and robotics to minimize the use of water, fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. These approaches should not only contribute to increasing efficiency, but also ensure integrally sustainable agriculture.

In summary, the University of Osnabrück project offers a promising perspective for the integration of AI into agriculture. Research and practical tests are intended to develop solutions that make the agricultural sector future-proof. The path has been paved, but success depends on the willingness of everyone involved to adapt and further develop these technologies.