How Yara International is Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Drive Sustainable Growth

Background

Founded in 1905 to address the looming famine in Europe, Yara International has steadily evolved into the only global crop nutrition company in the industry. The company operates in over 60 countries and employs approximately 17,000 individuals, solidifying its prominent position in the field. Yara’s vision centers on a world free from hunger, underpinned by a sustainable growth strategy that emphasizes climate-friendly crop nutrition and zero-emission energy solutions. In 2022, the company reported revenues of USD 24.1 billion. Additionally, Yara is increasingly incorporating digital tools into its operations, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence to improve precision farming and develop a sustainable food value chain.

Executive Summary

Yara is strategically investing in cutting-edge AI companies like Intelecy and Ecorobotix, significantly enhancing our AI capabilities and solidifying our position as industry innovators.
Our advanced digital tools, powered by AI, are revolutionizing crop nutrition optimization, driving unprecedented improvements in productivity, crop quality, and sustainability.
We've successfully leveraged AI to refine every phase of the agricultural process - Plan, Apply, Adjust, and Monitor - offering comprehensive, intelligent solutions that transform farming practices.
Our partnerships with AI-focused firms underscore Yara's unwavering commitment to pioneering sustainable agriculture, positioning us at the forefront of the industry's technological evolution.

Problem

At Yara, we're spearheading a revolution in sustainable agriculture through strategic AI integration. Our investments in innovative companies like Intelecy and Ecorobotix demonstrate our commitment to leveraging AI for production and process optimization, and high-precision crop input application. We're harnessing AI's power not just as an optimization tool, but as a cornerstone in our mission to create a sustainable agricultural landscape, reducing waste, emissions, energy consumption, and costs in the process.

Solution

We've seamlessly integrated cutting-edge technologies with our deep agronomic expertise to tackle farmers' complex challenges head-on. Our digital solution, Atfarm, is a game-changer, addressing every phase of the agricultural cycle: Plan, Apply, Adjust, and Monitor. The crown jewel of this system is our Variable Rate Application (VRA), which utilizes satellite imaging or in-field hardware like our N-Sensor, combined with Yara's unparalleled agronomic knowledge, to create precise application maps. We've also implemented real-time nitrogen sensors and the N-Tester for in-season, in-field measurements, ensuring optimized yield, crop quality, and sustainability. Our integration of advanced data science, analytics, and AI-driven techniques for modeling crop and soil dynamics allows farmers to respond swiftly to evolving field conditions, creating a streamlined, efficient, and sustainable farming experience.

Impact

Our AI initiatives and strategic investments have solidified Yara's position as the undisputed leader in sustainable agriculture. Intelecy's platform promises significant reductions in waste, emissions, and energy consumption. Ecorobotix's ARA system is a game-changer, slashing herbicide use by an impressive 70-95%, delivering both environmental benefits and substantial cost savings. These advancements perfectly align with our vision of making industrial production more sustainable, optimizing processes, and minimizing environmental impacts.

Change Management

While we recognize the challenges in adopting AI technology, particularly the industry-wide talent gap, we're tackling this head-on. Our partnership with companies like Intelecy is crucial in bridging this gap, enabling our existing workforce to harness AI's full potential. We're committed to overcoming these challenges, ensuring successful implementation of our AI projects across the board..

Roadmap

Yara is poised to lead the next wave of innovation in sustainable agriculture. Our unwavering dedication to developing cutting-edge digital farming tools, combined with our strategic partnerships with emerging AI leaders, sets the stage for a future where AI and advanced analytics are central to food production. We're not just preparing for the future; we're actively shaping it, ensuring unparalleled sustainability, efficiency, and reduced environmental impact in agriculture.

Publications:

Yara Makes Strategic Investment in Industrial AI Company Intelecy

Yara Growth Ventures invests in Ecorobotix – a leader in high-precision application of crop inputs Our digital farming solutions