Microsoft, OCP Africa to improve farmer productivity with digital agriculture platform

Microsoft, OCP Africa to improve farmer productivity with digital agriculture platform

Microsoft is partnering with OCP Africa through its Africa Transformation Office (ATO), with the goal of positively impacting smallholder farmers and Agri-stakeholders across Africa by 2025. OCP Africa, an African company that provides fertilizer solutions tailored to local conditions as well as the needs of soils and crops throughout the continent, will collaborate with Microsoft to strengthen and scale its digital agriculture platform. This platform improves farmer productivity while allowing them to better manage their businesses.

In this time of increasing food insecurity, enhancing the resilience and livelihoods for smallholder farmers is needed to drive increased agriculture productivity, including reducing losses in the food production chain. With the increasing impacts of more frequent extreme weather events, adaptation, and resilience are of crucial importance to the food system’s transformation,” said Wael Elkabbany, General Manager for Microsoft Africa Regional Cluster.

The announcement was made in Doha, Qatar at the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. The collaboration will enable smallholder farmers to gain access to skilling and information through Agri-digital services, leveraging OCP Africa programs such as the Farmer Hub concept to support millions of farmers. OCP Africa will also collaborate with Microsoft to explore the use of big data, machine learning, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to build their data and AI platform to improve operational efficiency and better serve ecosystem stakeholders.

digital agriculture platform farmbeats

On his part, the CEO of OCP Africa Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali said: “African agriculture is at a transformational moment in its history – and a time of incredible possibility and promise for farmers and industry alike. Digitizing agricultural practices in Africa allows smallholder farmers to optimize their decision-making, which in turn helps optimize production. The partnership between OCP Africa and Microsoft will allow us to increase the services provided and scale up our digital agriculture platform, expand our reach, and make an even bigger impact on food security across the continent.”

Collaboration with African AgriTech startups, agricultural firms, and partners to increase access to technology, skills, and agricultural knowledge is expected to optimize the industry and generate new revenue streams that will ensure global food security. The adoption and integration of technologies such as the Cloud, AI, Agri Data Platforms, and Azure App modernization into the agricultural space is also expected to deliver transformation in the form of precision agriculture.

We believe that precision farming, brought about by the adoption of advanced technologies into the agricultural sector, will revolutionize food production and help to eliminate hunger and poverty in Africa. Technology is the key factor in enabling and increasing access to finance, equipment, and sustainability for rural farmers, empowering local farmers in Africa. Our partnership with OCP Africa will help to directly impact smallholder farmers and improve production,” added Elkabbany.

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Check out other Microsoft stories making the news across Africa and the Middle East region.

GIGABYTE introduces AORUS 17, AORUS 15, and AERO 14 OLED gaming laptops

GIGABYTE introduces AORUS 17, AORUS 15, and AERO 14 OLED gaming laptops

GIGABYTE is announcing three new gaming laptops the AORUS 17, AORUS 15, and AERO 14 OLED. The AORUS 17 and AORUS 15 gaming laptops come powered with Intel 13thgen i7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPUs, 240Hz 1440p displays, and a WINDFORCE Infinity cooling system. The AERO 14 OLED is a creator laptop with an Intel Core i7 13700H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 2.8K OLED display with XRite and Pantone certification, and NVIDIA Studio platform.

2023 GIGABYTE gaming laptops

GIGABYTE AORUS 17 and AORUS 15 gaming laptops

Both the AORUS 17 and AORUS 15 offer powerful gaming performance fueled by the latest 13th-gen i7 Intel H series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPUs with full access to max 140W TGP with Dynamic Boost technology, all in a slender profile. They feature the improved WINDFORCE Infinity cooling system that can handle up to 160W of thermal design power (TDP) to ensure optimal performance even when running at maximum capacity.

The upgraded display offers fast 240Hz refresh rates at 1440p resolution enabling a smooth and vibrant gaming experience. The gaming essence is reflected both in the device’s internal power and the external design. The enclosure is further accented with the spatial design and RGB Light Bar for a sophisticated gaming aesthetic.

gaming laptop rgb light bar

 AERO 14 OLED laptop

The AERO 14 OLED is the latest iteration of GIGABYTE’s ultra-slim-and-light laptop for creators. The beautifully compact design of the CNC-milled aluminum unibody chassis houses impressive performance, powered by Intel® Core i7-13700H processor and NVIDIA GeForce® RTX™ 4050 laptop GPU. The NVIDIA Studio platform boosts efficiency further with the creative apps, allowing users to unleash their creativity anywhere, anytime.

The 2.8K OLED display delivers true-to-life visuals and perfect color accuracy thanks to X-Rite™ 2.0 Factory Calibration and Pantone® Validation. The OLED panel is also TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe and SGS certified, ensuring that the display is comfortable to use with low blue light emissions while maintaining color performance and luminance.

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Here is how to get the new AI chat and compose features in Microsoft Edge

Here is how to get the new AI chat and compose features in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft launched a new Bing search engine and Edge browser powered by a more powerful than ChatGPT next-generation OpenAI large language model. It features new AI chat and compose tools that bring together search, browsing, and chat into one experience across the web. To give you a unique conversational experience, a better search with complete answers, and the ability to generate content.

new Microsoft Edge browsers with AI chat and compose in Bing preview

The Microsoft Edge browser received a new update that brings a new look and allows you to experience the new Bing preview with AI capabilities. It comes with two new features; chat and compose located in the Edge sidebar.

To experience the new ChatGPT-like AI-powered Microsoft Edge browser here is what you should know. You first need to have a Personal Microsoft Account(MSA). Then secondly because it is still in preview, you’ll need to get the Microsoft Edge Dev channel browser.

Get the new Edge browser with AI chat and compose features

Download the latest Microsoft Edge Dev build. Or If you already have an Edge Dev browser go to settings>about Microsoft Edge>Update to Version 111.0.1660.6.

Sign into Microsoft Edge Dev using your approved personal MSA

Restart the Microsoft Edge Dev browser

Confirm you can access the new Bing. Now Go to Bing.com and type a question, then hover and click the Bing icon at the top corner of Microsoft Edge to try the new chat and compose experiences.

Microsoft is slowly rolling the feature out so your experience might differ depending on your location. Microsoft plans to scale the preview to millions in the coming weeks and bring it to mobile and other browsers as well. You can join a waitlist to know when it is available to you.

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LG introduces new ultraslim 2023 gram laptop models

LG introduces new ultraslim 2023 gram laptop models

LG Electronics is announcing the pricing and availability of the first of its 2023 gram laptop models, the 17-inch LG gram pro models. The company says the 2023 17-inch LG gram pro laptops are unbelievably thin and light. Offering premium looks with the latest device specifications that will deliver a powerful and immersive experience. The new models will also be available in 16, 15, and 14-inch laptop models (16Z90R, 15Z90R, and 14Z90R).

2023 gram laptop LG 17 inch shown in open style


The 17-inch LG gram pro model 17Z90R-A.AAB7U1 is equipped with Intel 13th gen Core i7 process, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, NVIDIA RTX3050 GPU, 1TB storage, and Windows 11. The higher Model 17Z90R-A.ADB9U1 is equipped with 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, NVIDIA RTX3050 GPU, 2TB storage, and Windows 11.

The 2023 LG gram17Z90R-A.AAB7U1 will retail at $1999 whilst the higher model 17Z90R-A.ADB9U1 at $2,299. Both devices are available on lg.com and later at select LG-authorized retailers. Lg says the other 2023 gram laptop models will launch later this year.

LG gram laptop

LG 2023 gram laptop specifications

.LG gram 17 (17Z90R-A.AAB7U1 )LG gram 17 (17Z90R-A.ADB9U1)
Display Size17-inch17-inch
LCDWQXGA(2,560 x 1,600) IPSWQXGA 2560*1600 IPS
Brightness (Typ.)
Weight3.2lbs (dGPU)3.2lbs (dGPU)
Size14.91 x 10.19 x 0.7 inches14.91 x 10.19 x 0.7 inches
Battery90 Wh Li-on90 Wh Li-on
CPU13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor i7-1360P (12 Cores: 4P + 8E, P: 2.2 up to 5.0 GHz / E: 1.6 up to 3.7 GHz), Intel Smart Cache 18 MB13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor i7-1360P (12 Cores: 4P + 8E, P: 2.2 up to 5.0 GHz / E: 1.6 up to 3.7 GHz), Intel Smart Cache 18 MB
GPUNvidia RTX3050 4GBNvidia RTX3050 4GB
Memory16GB LPDDR5 (Dual Channel, 6000MHz)32GB LPDDR5 (Dual Channel, 6000MHz)
Storage1 TB (1 x 1TB) M.2 NMVe2 TB (2 x 1TB) M.2 NMVe
I/O PortUSB 4 Gen3x2 Type C (x2, with USB PD, Display Port, Thunderbolt 4)
4Pole Headset, US type
USB 3.2 Gen2x1 (x2)
USB 4 Gen3x2 Type C (x2, with USB PD, Display Port, Thunderbolt 4)
4Pole Headset, US type
USB 3.2 Gen2x1 (x2)
Price$1999$2,299

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Microsoft collaborates with universities to improve their curriculum and facilitate direct hiring

Microsoft collaborates with universities to improve their curriculum and facilitate direct hiring

Microsoft’s engineering arm, the Africa Development Centre is announcing a collaboration with Kenyan technology universities to review their curriculums and make them more relevant to industry needs as the centre ramps up its digital skilling efforts in the country.

As part of the program, Microsoft ADC has partnered with the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to review its Computer Science degree program. The curriculum review program will also be extended to other universities in Kenya that have expressed interest, and across Africa.

The initiative is part of the ADC’s larger agenda to contribute to the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa. Which aims to harness digital technologies and innovation to transform African societies and economies by 2030. The initiative also aims to address identified skill gaps in software engineering students during technical interviews, particularly in software engineering fundamentals. It also fits into the Kenyan government’s Digital Superhighway plan, which aims to put the country on the path to becoming the world’s digital workforce.

The ADC is running multiple initiatives to improve the tech talent pipeline starting from primary school all the way to working to improve the skills of practicing professionals. As part of the skilling drive, the ADC is looking to improve tech-based curricula within local institutions of higher learning so as to reduce the skills gap between classrooms and the workplace,” says Irene Githinji, the ADC’s Student & Education Engagement Program Manager.

Microsoft ADC working with Kenyan universities

Microsoft says, while players in the technology sector are constantly on the lookout for new talent, they are frequently unable to hire directly from universities because students are mostly armed with theoretical knowledge at the expense of much-needed application skills in software engineering fundamentals. Also noting, a need has been identified to transition from paper examination to online assessment, as most students have never sat for coding exams via online assessment, as evidenced when they sit for the ADC’s coding interviews.

Students pursuing STEM-related courses will benefit from the new curriculum because they will have access to updated resources, courses, and assessments. Additionally, updated curriculums with industry input will help students gain hands-on tech skills that will be useful throughout their tech careers,” adds Githinji.

Dr. Michael Kimwele, Director, School of Computing and Information Technology at JKUAT notes that the curriculum review partnership is not a first for Microsoft and JKUAT.

Our collaboration with Microsoft has, over the years, helped to develop potential career pathways for students and enabled the institution to access more teaching resources. We have received industry feedback and guidance on our curriculum which has helped us to improve our teaching methods and content. The collaboration has also exposed our students to real-time industry jobs. For example, many students involved in incubator projects are often offered a role within the company after their graduation since they have had time to adjust to the company culture,” says Dr. Kimwele.

The Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa aims to provide a massive online e-skills development program to 100 million Africans per year by 2021, and 300 million per year by 2025, to provide basic knowledge and skills in digital security and privacy. The initiative is led and owned by African institutions and is intended to be embedded in African realities while unleashing the African spirit of enterprise and creativity to generate homegrown digital content and solutions while embracing what is good and relevant.

We are also working closely with the government and the private sector to expand access to digital skills training across Africa, and some of our initiatives are already reaching out to schools to provide students with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. The initiatives range from coding classes for young children and teaching basic computer skills to underprivileged individuals to highly technical learning opportunities such as the Game Of Learners hackathon, which helps university students fine-tune their skills by building real-world solutions under the supervision of industry professionals,” Githinji explained.

Githinji also emphasized the need to refine the quality of technology education in universities in order to better prepare students for a digitally enabled future.

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