NEC Corporation has announced a collaboration with agritech company ClimateAi to create an AI-powered model designed to improve climate resilience in agriculture. The initiative focuses on Africa, where climate change is driving challenges for staple and cash crops such as rice and cocoa.
The conceptual model combines NEC’s advanced computing technologies with ClimateAi’s climate risk analytics. It quantifies both the effectiveness and the economic returns of various adaptation measures, helping farmers, investors, and policymakers make better-informed decisions on sustainable agriculture strategies.
Adapting to climate impacts
The model examines interventions including irrigation, adoption of climate-adapted crop varieties, and adjustments to planting schedules. By comparing potential costs and benefits, it provides insights into which measures are most effective in improving yields and protecting livelihoods under shifting climate conditions.
NEC and ClimateAi presented the work at the TICAD Business Expo & Conference, highlighting its role in supporting Africa’s transition towards more sustainable and resilient food systems.
Applying AI to food security
Food security in Africa is increasingly threatened by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and shifting growing seasons. Tools that apply AI to agricultural planning offer potential to reduce risks, safeguard farmer incomes, and enhance resilience at scale. The NEC–ClimateAi model is intended to inform both policy and private investment by providing data-driven scenarios for adaptation.
