LONDON – In a groundbreaking collaboration, EY has unveiled an extended alliance with Microsoft aimed at catalyzing digital transformation within the agricultural sector. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), this partnership seeks to empower agricultural organizations worldwide to harness the power of data-driven insights for enhanced efficiency and innovation.

By combining EY’s unparalleled expertise in technology consulting and agribusiness with Microsoft’s robust digital toolkit and Azure cloud platform, the alliance endeavors to pioneer data-driven solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the agricultural industry. These innovative solutions are poised to revolutionize various facets of agricultural operations, from enhancing productivity for farmers and growers to digitizing crop data aggregation and analysis through advanced e-commerce capabilities.

At the heart of this initiative lies the commitment to address the pressing global challenge of feeding a growing population, which is projected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. Rob Dongoski, EY Global Agribusiness Leader, emphasizes the pivotal role of the EY-Microsoft Agribusiness initiative in delivering sustainable, transparent, and efficient solutions to meet the rising food demand. This initiative aims to equip stakeholders across the agricultural value chain with the tools and insights needed to navigate evolving market dynamics and ensure food security for future generations.

The announcement of the EY-Microsoft Agribusiness initiative was made at Chicago Ideas Week, underscoring the partnership’s commitment to driving innovation and fostering dialogue within the agricultural community. Microsoft showcased a range of proofs of concept featuring cutting-edge technologies such as sensors, drones, and Azure Machine Learning, highlighting the transformative potential of digital solutions in agriculture.

Egbert Schroeer, Microsoft Chemical & Agribusiness Leader, echoes the vision of leveraging technology to promote sustainability and efficiency in agriculture. By harnessing the capabilities of the Azure cloud platform and Azure Machine Learning, Microsoft aims to empower farmers and agribusiness stakeholders with custom solutions designed to optimize resource utilization and drive sustainable growth.

Greg Cudahy, EY Global Leader Tech, Media and Telco and EY Global leader – Microsoft Alliance, underscores the strategic importance of the EY-Microsoft alliance in driving innovation and fostering digital transformation across industries. This extension of the alliance into the realm of agribusiness represents a significant milestone in advancing food production supply chain, enhancing food safety, and fostering transparency.

With a focus on the comprehensive agribusiness value chain, encompassing retail, crop protection, precision agriculture, and more, the EY-Microsoft alliance is poised to reshape the future of agriculture, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient food ecosystem.

To explore the transformative potential of the EY and Microsoft alliance further, visit the EY microsite.