Empowering Agriculture through Gen AI

FAR (Foundation for Arable Research) is a research, development, and extension organisation funded by New Zealand arable farmers. Their website hosts an extensive collection of thousands of research reports and extension documents, covering the cultivation and harvesting of over 40 different crops.

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Problem

While the website is a treasure trove of valuable information, navigating it can be daunting, especially for growers seeking specific data quickly. Despite continuous improvements to search functions and tagging, users often encounter lengthy lists of documents, rather than targeted, seasonal information for specific crops and issues. This creates a frustrating experience for growers who need concise answers without wading through lengthy reports.

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Solution

‍By integrating Caitlyn, our Generative AI platform, into the FAR website as ‘Ask FAR,’ we’ve empowered growers to access the precise information they need, quickly and effortlessly.

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AWS-Powered Intelligence
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Caitlyn harnesses Amazon Bedrock (part of Amazon Web Services or AWS) and advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) to help 'Ask FAR' understand farmers' questions - no matter how they're phrased - and respond with relevant information.

All of FAR's valuable research data stays secure within their own AWS environment, ensuring complete privacy and control. This cloud-based approach means the system can handle increased demand during busy seasons when many farmers need answers simultaneously. Rather than technical complexity, farmers experience a simple conversation that connects them directly to 30 years of agricultural research, with each answer citing its specific source from FAR's trusted archives.
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Analytics & Insights

Beyond just providing answers, Caitlyn leverages Amazon QuickSight to give FAR valuable insights into how their research is being utilised. Analytics reveal which topics are most frequently queried and identify emerging trends in the industry's information needs. This helps FAR understand where to focus future research efforts and ensures their work continues to address the most pressing needs of growers.

Increased Engagement

FAR is already seeing higher engagement with research materials, boosting return on investment while simplifying access for levy payers.

See it in action: far.org.nz/ai
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