University of Sharjah and IBM to Enhance Sustainable Farming with My FarmWell Chatbot on Watsonx

In a groundbreaking move to revolutionize sustainable agriculture across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the University of Sharjah (UoS) has teamed up with IBM (NYSE: IBM) to integrate their watsonx platform into the My FarmWell app. This integration introduces Welly, an AI-powered chatbot designed to provide multilingual, real-time assistance to farmers, with a focus on water optimization and precision irrigation. This marks a significant leap forward in the app's ability to scale and offer localized support for farmers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and beyond.

A Milestone in Agricultural Innovation

The launch of the enhanced My FarmWell app represents a key development in the collaboration between the University of Sharjah and IBM, initiated earlier this year. The new features within the app, including the Welly chatbot, aim to support sustainable farming practices and water management, both of which are critical to addressing the region's growing agricultural challenges.

At the heart of this collaboration is Welly, an intelligent AI assistant now running on IBM’s watsonx platform. Welly helps farmers monitor water wells, track irrigation needs, and improve water usage efficiency by providing real-time, personalized advice. With English and Arabic language support, Welly ensures accessibility for farmers across the region.

The University of Sharjah’s faculty and researchers had initially developed the chatbot’s core features, including its knowledge base and irrigation calculator. By integrating IBM’s advanced watsonx AI, the university has amplified the impact of these tools, enabling them to scale at an enterprise level.

Key Features of the Updated My FarmWell App

The upgraded My FarmWell app incorporates several new features designed to optimize water use, enhance sustainability, and empower farmers to make informed decisions. Among the key updates are:

• Welly AI Chatbot Powered by watsonx: The multilingual chatbot provides real-time, localized support for farmers, helping them manage irrigation systems, monitor water wells, and implement sustainable farming practices in both English and Arabic.
  
  

• Wells Map: A new interactive map enables users to visualize and track the status of their agricultural wells. This feature promotes responsible water usage and aids in long-term water conservation.
  
  

• Water Consumption Calculator: Developed by UoS, this tool offers farm-specific estimations of water usage, factoring in weather conditions like wind speed and humidity. It helps farmers optimize their water consumption to improve efficiency and sustainability across crops, operations, and livestock.
  
  

• Refreshed Content and Guidance: In response to feedback from partners like the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the app’s content has been updated to offer more accurate, actionable advice for farmers. This includes detailed guidance on sustainable farming techniques, irrigation strategies, and resource management.

Empowering Farmers Through AI and Collaboration

The collaboration with IBM is part of a larger initiative to integrate AI technologies into sustainable agriculture, an area where the UAE is already leading through innovative efforts in climate resilience and water security. According to His Excellency Prof. Essam El-Din Ajami, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, “This is a significant milestone in our collaboration with IBM through the IBM Impact Accelerator. It’s a powerful example of how AI and research can come together to support farmers, optimize water use, and advance climate resilience across the region.”

The Welly AI chatbot, built on the IBM watsonx platform, represents a leap forward in accessibility and precision. Shukri Eid, General Manager at IBM Gulf, Levant, and Pakistan, explains: “With watsonx, we’re delivering the power of enterprise-grade AI to the field through the IBM Impact Accelerator, providing natural language, tailored insights, and trusted data. This upgrade to My FarmWell demonstrates how AI can be intuitive, scalable, and deeply local, helping farmers make informed decisions that improve outcomes and preserve resources.”

Dr. Adewale Giwa, Principal Investigator of the My FarmWell project at UoS, emphasizes how the collaboration has significantly amplified the app’s impact: “Our team at the University of Sharjah has been dedicated to creating farmer-focused tools such as Welly the chatbot, the water consumption calculator, and the in-app sustainability tips. Integrating these innovations with IBM’s watsonx enables us to amplify their impact—ensuring that farmers receive actionable, accessible, and trusted support for sustainable farming.”

Supporting Sustainable Agriculture in the UAE

As a key contributor to the UAE's sustainable agriculture goals, the My FarmWell app helps farmers manage water resources more efficiently, addressing one of the most critical issues in the region. The UAE faces significant challenges in water scarcity, and tools like My FarmWell are part of a broader national effort to meet climate resilience, food security, and water optimization objectives.

Dr. Maryam Rashed Al Shehhi, Assistant Professor at Khalifa University, highlights the significance of academic collaboration in bringing practical solutions to farmers: “My FarmWell exemplifies how advanced technologies and academic collaboration can empower farmers with practical, water-smart solutions. The initiative reflects the UAE’s commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture while addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and food security.”

Moreover, the involvement of ADAFSA further strengthens the app’s credibility and reach. A representative from ADAFSA states, “This collaboration brings practical, water-smart tools directly to farmers and supports the UAE’s long-term goals for water security and sustainable food production.”

How to Get Involved

Farmers, agricultural professionals, and stakeholders in the MENA region are encouraged to explore the My FarmWell app and discover how the AI-powered tools can transform their farming practices. The app is now available in its updated version 1.3.0 for both Android and iOS devices, providing farmers with access to the latest features, real-time data, and tailored advice.

Download the My FarmWell app today on Google Play or Apple App Store.

To learn more about the University of Sharjah’s innovative research and partnerships, visit the University of Sharjah Website.

For more information about IBM’s watsonx platform and its impact on AI solutions in agriculture, check out IBM's Official Website.

The My FarmWell app's AI-powered tools, now integrated with IBM’s watsonx, mark a pivotal moment in the push for sustainable farming in the MENA region. This collaboration between the University of Sharjah and IBM demonstrates the power of university-industry partnerships in addressing pressing issues such as water scarcity, climate change, and food security. With scalable AI solutions and localized support, the app is setting a new standard for precision agriculture and water conservation.