(Rostock/Dubai) Fraunhofer IGD will join other leading international exhibitors at the AgroFarm Middle East 2025 event, showcasing its latest research on digital crop and livestock farming. At booth G12 in the German Pavilion, Fraunhofer IGD will demonstrate how artificial intelligence, imaging, and sensor technologies can promote more sustainable and efficient practices in plant production, animal health, and food safety.

Smarter Crop Management

AI-supported monitoring allows for early detection of stress symptoms in strawberries grown in polytunnels. This enables timely interventions that stabilize yields and improve fruit quality.

Advanced AI models reliably detect and identify weeds, supporting biodiversity monitoring and enabling spot-spraying instead of large-scale treatments.

In sugar beet cultivation, drone-based monitoring can identify biotic stress factors, such as Cercospora leaf spot, with high precision. Spot-spraying techniques ensure that treatments are limited to the affected areas, reducing chemical use while maintaining crop health and protecting the environment.

In forestry, Fraunhofer IGD uses image analysis and remote sensing to identify tree species and evaluate their health. Existing technologies can also be applied to additional crop-management challenges, such as palm weevil infestation.

AI for Food Security

Fraunhofer IGD will also present innovations in food safety. Using a combination of AI, hyperspectral imaging, and satellite data, it is possible to  detect wheat diseases associated with mycotoxin accumulation. These solutions provide early warning and specific recommendations to ensure that only safe, clean raw materials enter the food supply chain.

»Farming systems face a variety of challenges that can be addressed with intelligent, scalable, and sustainable solutions,« says Dr. Philipp Wree, Head of the Bioeconomy Division at Fraunhofer IGD. »By applying artificial intelligence and imaging technologies to crop and livestock farming systems, we help producers increase efficiency, reduce their environmental impact, and contribute to global food security.«

Health Monitoring in Livestock and Aquaculture

Fraunhofer IGD’s expertise in imaging and AI-based analysis benefits livestock farming as well. Applications include detecting lameness and vital parameters in dairy cows, performing ultrasound-based pregnancy diagnostics, and monitoring behavior. Fraunhofer IGD also contributes to modern, sustainable animal production methods, such as larval quality control in black soldier fly farming, health monitoring in poultry, and innovative aquaculture solutions.

Fraunhofer IGD invites visitors to explore these innovations and exchange ideas at the German Pavilion (Booth G12) at AgroFarm Middle East 2025 in Dubai from October 6–7, 2025.