Olam looks to boost smart farming in Asia and Africa
Singapore-based Olam International is using artificial intelligence and big data as part of its smart farming initiative, the Olam Farmer Information System (OFIS). It aims to boost production and value for smaller cocoa, coffee and nut growers in Africa and Asia, as well as improve efficiency, quality and traceability across the global supply chain. The company also plans to launch an online platform under its Olam Direct programme, where farmers can sell crops, purchase fertilisers and access insurance and other financial services. Olam is a major provider of foodstuffs such as nuts and cocoa beans to world agriculture businesses. 

SINGAPORE/LAMPUNG -- On a sunny day in late July in Lampung, a rural farming town in the southern part of Indonesia's Sumatra Island, an employee of agricultural-goods trading company Olam International was busy making the rounds of cocoa farms, collecting data from farm owners.

"How old are your cocoa trees?" he asked. "What is your crop yield?"