Bayer has announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft to build a new cloud-based set of digital tools and data science solutions for use in agriculture and related industries.
The company says that while, ‘agriculture and agribusinesses today benefit from a wide range of digital tools and data-powered insights through platforms like Bayer’s Climate FieldView™, there is work to do to optimize the entire food, feed, fuel and fibre value chain and its use of the precious natural resources required to power the planet while ensuring broader efforts to combat climate change.’
Under the agreement, Bayer will work with Microsoft to co-develop new solutions that address critical industry scenarios such as farming operations, sustainable sourcing, manufacturing and supply chain improvement, and ESG (environmental, social and governance) monitoring and measurement.
The companies will develop infrastructure for digital farming solutions and data science capabilities. Bayer will also migrate its digital farming core capabilities to the new infrastructure for its own customer-facing solutions. The partnership builds upon a longstanding relationship between Bayer and Microsoft, and a shared commitment to data privacy, cyber security and customer trust.
“This partnership comes at a unique point in time where increased innovation is sorely needed across the food and fibre value chain,” said Liam Condon, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President of Bayer Crop Science. “As we cope with an ongoing global pandemic, fragile supply chains and the continuing climate catastrophe, status quo will not suffice. We need collaboration, shared vision and action.”
Photo source: Bayer