CSIRO joins Quad AI projects to advance future-ready agriculture

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has partnered with counterparts from India, Japan and the United States to develop a series of artificial intelligence projects aimed at modernizing agriculture across the Indo-Pacific.

The collaboration, part of the Advancing Innovations for Empowering NextGen Agriculture (AI-ENGAGE) initiative, seeks to turn AI research into practical tools for farmers, from early disease detection in orchards to smartphone apps that identify crop pests in real time.

Six projects under AI-ENGAGE involve cross-country teams, pairing Australia’s agricultural expertise with advanced AI techniques. Among the initiatives, Purdue University is testing autonomous aerial and ground robots to detect disease in apple orchards, while Iowa State University is developing an AI-based app and chatbot to help farmers monitor and manage pests and diseases. Kansas State University is implementing a computer vision system to estimate soybean yields and identify crop lodging, a key factor affecting farm output.

Dr. Jen Taylor, CSIRO’s executive director of Future Industries, said the initiative illustrates the value of international cooperation in addressing agricultural challenges intensified by climate variability, biosecurity risks and rising production costs. “Through AI-ENGAGE, researchers are turning advances in artificial intelligence into tools that enhance farm stability and safeguard food security across the region,” she said.

The projects involve at least three of the four participating Quad nations, ensuring shared expertise and data while tailoring solutions to local farming conditions. CSIRO is joined in the initiative by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Japan Science and Technology Agency, and the US National Science Foundation.

By linking AI with agricultural research, AI-ENGAGE aims to strengthen efficiency, sustainability and adaptability in the region’s farming systems, a priority as climate pressures and market volatility continue to challenge global food production.