Japan’s NEC Corp has partnered with U.S.-based ClimateAi to develop a conceptual model that uses artificial intelligence to estimate the effectiveness and economic return of climate change adaptation measures for cocoa and rice farming in Africa.
The initiative combines ClimateAi’s long-term climate forecasting technology with NEC’s agritech expertise. It will be showcased this week at the TICAD Business Expo & Conference in Yokohama, a side event of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development.
Tackling Climate Risk in Agriculture
While governments and companies have focused heavily on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, investment in adaptation measures such as irrigation and climate-resilient seeds has lagged, partly due to difficulties in assessing their cost-effectiveness.
Agriculture is among the sectors most vulnerable to shifting weather patterns. NEC and ClimateAi said their AI-powered model can quantify the impact of climate change on crop production and calculate the return on investment for adaptation measures.
Focus on Cocoa and Rice
The model was tested on cocoa and rice cultivation in Africa, where climate shifts are expected to reshape farming conditions in the coming decades. Africa is the world’s largest cocoa producer and heavily reliant on agriculture as an economic driver.
The analysis focused on three adaptation strategies: introducing irrigation systems, switching to climate-adapted varieties, and adjusting planting schedules. The companies said the technology can help international organizations, development banks and other stakeholders make data-driven decisions to sustain yields and protect farmers’ livelihoods.
Funding and Future Development
Significant financing will be needed to scale agricultural adaptation to climate change, the companies noted. Alongside public and multilateral funding, mobilizing private investment is seen as essential. Quantifying returns through data-driven models could help lower entry barriers for investors.
NEC and ClimateAi said they plan to expand collaborations with agribusinesses, irrigation suppliers and seed companies. Beyond agriculture, they see potential for applying the model to other industries exposed to climate risks, such as infrastructure and manufacturing supply chains.
The partners will use feedback from TICAD and other forums to move toward commercialization. NEC said the project reflects its strategy of co-creating with startups under its “Open Innovation” initiative to build new digital solutions for global challenges.
