📋 Tender Overview
Project Name
Digital and Artificial Intelligence Solutions for the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development Sector
Project Number
58330-001
Country / Economy
Regional
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyz Republic
Pakistan
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan
Project Status
Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance
Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 10478-REG: Digital and Artificial Intelligence Solutions for the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development Sector
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 753,000.00
Operational Priorities
OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
OP3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability
OP5: Promoting rural development and food security
OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity
OP7: Fostering regional cooperation and integration
Sector / Subsector
Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agricultural policy, institutional and capacity development
Gender
Effective gender mainstreaming
Description
The regional technical assistance (TA) will enable the developing member countries (DMCs) to scale up digital and artificial intelligence (AI) innovations within the agriculture, natural resources, and rural development sector (ANR). The TA aims to enhance food security and increase resilience to climate change. Targeted DMCs are Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Key activities include (i) mapping the existing AI and digital solutions within the ANR sector in partnership with ADB's Private Sector Operations Department and Information Technology Department; (ii) identifying the constraints and opportunities for scaling up and enhancing these solutions through stakeholder consultations and analysis; (iii) conducting proof of concept of gender-responsive AI-powered and digital solutions in the field, focusing on addressing regional food security, nutrition, and climate adaptation challenges; (iv) building the capacity of local institutions; academia; women producer associations and other stakeholders on developing and deploying the AI solutions and creating linkages to the private sector ; and (v) facilitating knowledge exchange with counterparts to bring the latest expertise and experiences into the DMCs.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy
Impact of climate change is putting the region's food security at risk. With vastly different ecological and climatic conditions, the impact of climate change on the Central and West Asia region is varied and multi-faceted. Agriculture in the region is highly dependent on water supply that originates from glaciers and snow-packed mountains.
Diversification and high-value crops on the rise. Since the mid-20th century, there has been a focus on cotton and main cereal crops such as wheat, rice, and maize. This has led to an overall increase i
