## Transforming Small-Scale Farming with Advanced Edge Solutions

Smallholder farmers, who cultivate five hectares of land or less, are vital to global food security, producing approximately one-third of the world’s food. However, they face significant challenges due to limited access to modern technology and the adverse effects of climate change. Revolutionizing agriculture, particularly for small-scale farmers, is essential for sustainable and efficient food production. Edge computing, an advanced technology that brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed, is playing a crucial role in addressing these challenges.

The Linux Foundation has been at the forefront of this transformation, developing Liquid Prep, an innovative open-source, AI-powered watering solution, as part of the IBM Call for Code initiative in 2019. The application collects soil moisture data from a portable sensor, retrieves weather information, and accesses crop data to analyze and provide watering guidance to farmers. Liquid Prep has since evolved into an open-source software project hosted by the Linux Foundation and has been actively supported by the IBM Sustainability Accelerator.

Liquid Prep has addressed various challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including the need for a single sensor to measure plants in multiple locations and the support for farmers with multiple crops and different sensors for various soil and crop varieties. The solution has also integrated with Open Horizon, an open-source edge computing project, to ensure scalability and ease of use. This technology, developed through collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, is revolutionizing the way farming is approached and has the potential to extend its impact beyond agriculture, contributing to smart resource management and sustainability across various sectors.

FAQ:

Q: What is Liquid Prep?
A: Liquid Prep is an intelligent mobile app-based watering solution developed by the Linux Foundation and supported by the IBM Sustainability Accelerator. It collects soil moisture data, retrieves weather information, and accesses crop data to provide watering guidance to farmers.

Q: How is Liquid Prep transforming small-scale farming?
A: Liquid Prep addresses challenges faced by smallholder farmers by providing insights for more effective water usage, increasing crop yield, and decreasing economic and environmental costs.

Q: What is the role of Open Horizon in Liquid Prep?
A: Open Horizon, an open-source edge computing project, has been integrated into Liquid Prep to ensure scalability and ease of use, making it a seamless solution for agricultural use cases.

In conclusion, Liquid Prep is positioned to revolutionize agriculture and beyond, showcasing the positive impact of technology on addressing global challenges and helping shape the future of sustainability and smart resource management. This innovative edge solution has the potential to empower smallholder farmers and contribute to a more efficient and sustainable agricultural sector.