Artificial Intelligence and related digital technologies to support production, safety, and sustainability of irrigated perennial high-value crops.

The intelligent digital systems are already disrupting many industries, and evolving technologies are rapidly finding their way to agriculture, with examples starting to mount. WSU being leader in applied agricultural research needs to increase our program footprint in artificial intelligence driven digital technologies. In such an effort, our team is developing an application to the NSF/USDA-NIFA joint call on the theme of “AI-Driven Innovation in Agriculture and the Food System program” It is critical to secure this funding to enhance our current activities in digital technologies for agriculture and solidify the launching of an Institute for Digital Agriculture (IDIAg). Concurrently, we will be seeking substantial donations through the WSU fund-raising campaign. IDIAg will be a university-wide effort including several academic and research units encompassing leading-edge research, high-quality education of the workforce for the emerging future agriculture, and aggressive outreach activities engaging farmers, agriculture and technology industries, and governmental agencies. The focus of this federal grant proposal is on artificial intelligence and associated digital technologies to support production, safety, and sustainability of irrigated perennial high-value crops. This includes a strong focus on AI driven decision support for biologically intensive and sustainable production practices (e.g. improved resource use efficiency). To be successful with our grant submission, IDIAg will be inclusive and reach out to talent outside WSU that complements our capabilities.

For developing strong project proposal, we are seeking funds from BioAg Program that will be expended on getting all key project participants at one common location for additional brainstorming, project proposal writing and developing road-map for future collaborations.