Why Drinks Giant Diageo is Investing in Cutting-Edge Tech

Diageo, the global beverage company behind iconic brands such as Johnnie Walker and Guinness, has announced a $570,000 investment in advanced agricultural monitoring technologies. The initiative aims to empower smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing them with state-of-the-art tools to navigate increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

The beverage giant has forged partnerships with three innovative tech companies, each bringing unique solutions to the table. These collaborations are set to revolutionise farming practices in the region by leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data analytics.

John Cant, Head of Diageo Sustainable Solutions (DSS), emphasised the transformative potential of these technologies: "This technology has the potential to increase yield and remove uncertainty for the farmers, helping them to earn more from their farms, while giving Diageo the product we need to make great products."

Diageo leveraging advanced technology

Among the partnerships, AquaSpy stands out with its cloud-based IoT agriculture platform. This sophisticated system offers farmers unprecedented insights into seasonal crop root development and soil conditions. By utilising a network of sensors and advanced analytics, AquaSpy's technology enables data-driven decision-making for optimal resource management and planting strategies.

Clean Crop Technologies brings to the table a groundbreaking seed surface treatment. This proprietary technology not only accelerates germination but also enhances crop resilience in the face of extreme weather conditions. In an era where climate change is increasingly impacting agricultural yields, such innovations could prove crucial for food security in vulnerable regions.

Complementing these solutions, Smart Cloud Farming introduces cutting-edge soil mapping technology. By employing advanced soil monitoring and scanning techniques, the company creates highly accurate precision soil maps. These detailed visualisations serve as the foundation for AI-powered crop yield forecasting, enabling farmers to make informed decisions based on data-driven predictions.

The pilot programmes for these technologies will initially be conducted in Kenya and Uganda. Diageo plans to expand the use of these technologies across its African supply chain if the trials prove successful.

This tech-focused initiative is part of Diageo's broader sustainability strategy. The DSS programme, now in its fourth year, has already seen 14 pilot projects from previous challenges. One notable example is a partnership with EXXERGY and the Ardagh Group, which resulted in the development of an innovative glass coating. This technology allows for thinner glass production without compromising strength, leading to reduced emissions and resource consumption in the manufacturing process.

As climate change continues to pose significant challenges to agriculture, particularly in vulnerable regions, initiatives like this demonstrate the transformative potential of technology in sustainable development. By leveraging IoT, AI and advanced data analytics, Diageo is not only securing its supply chain but also contributing to the resilience and prosperity of agricultural communities in Africa.

John Cant summarises the initiative's significance: "One of the key challenges for smallholder farmers in Africa is their exposure to climate change and water scarcity. We're working with partners to find new solutions that can help to ensure they get the very best from their farms."

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