The University of Sharjah (UoS), in collaboration with IBM through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, has announced advancements to the My FarmWell mobile application - a platform designed to support sustainable agriculture in water-scarce regions.
Built using IBM Environmental Intelligence and UoS Welly Chatbot, My FarmWell integrates IBM Cloud and region-specific water and climate data to provide farmers with timely, farm-level insights. From optimizing irrigation strategies to understanding local regulations, the app offers a comprehensive toolkit to support more sustainable and productive agricultural practices.
The new version will introduce several powerful enhancements aimed at expanding the app's global relevance and improving user experience.
© University of Sharjah
The new release will feature a range of innovative tools and resources for users. One of the main highlights is the inclusion of interactive maps with well locations, which will help farmers visualize their proximity to monitored groundwater sources, thereby facilitating better water management. Additionally, there will be improved imagery and educational content designed to promote sustainable groundwater use and conservation. To support farmers in adapting to changing climates, updated farming tips focused on climate resilience will be delivered through push notifications, ensuring greater engagement and timely advice. The release also introduces an improved login system that allows access via both email addresses and phone numbers, enhancing both security and usability. Furthermore, users outside the UAE will benefit from access to global groundwater well-level and quality data, providing essential environmental information on a broader scale.
These enhancements reflect the project's ongoing commitment to scalable impact. Once deployed, the updates will enable broader usage of the app by farmers and water users across different regions who face similar water management and agricultural challenges.
Dr. Adewale Olalekan Giwa, Assistant Professor at University of Sharjah, Principal Investigator of the UoS-IBM Collaboration Project, commented: "The enhancements align with the mission of the University of Sharjah and IBM Sustainability Accelerator, which supports technology-driven projects that address pressing environmental issues through collaboration with academic and nonprofit organizations".
Currently available for both Android and iOS, the app offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to support growers. Users can access historical groundwater trends and severity assessments, enabling them to make informed decisions about water resource management. The app also includes Integrated Water Quality Index (IWQI) ratings, providing crucial insights into the water quality in their area. Smart crop recommendations tailored to specific water conditions help farmers optimize their yields, while location-based weather insights, powered by IBM Environmental Intelligence, offer timely and relevant environmental data. To further assist users, the app features a chatbot for on-the-spot guidance, developed in collaboration with the University of Sharjah. Additionally, the app includes a water consumption calculator for crops, trees, and livestock, aiding in efficient resource use. For comprehensive farming guidance, users can also access updates on agricultural regulations and food market prices. The updated version, which incorporates these robust features, will be rolled out as a free upgrade to current app users, enhancing their agricultural management capabilities.
For more information:
The University of Sharjah
sharjah.ac.ae/