Over the past 25 years, the digital revolution has drastically increased the amount of information that people can record, share, and store. For most of that time, the quantity of information produced by digital innovations has outstripped human capacity to organize and analyze all of this data. Recent breakthroughs in data analytics and computer processing now allow scientists to put this data to meaningful use—translating data into conclusions that can guide decision making. Collectively referred to as Big Data, these tools are providing the foundation for the next stage of scientific research in the digital age. The new CGIAR Platform for Big Data in Agriculture is putting these tools to work for farmers around the world.
Food Tank had the opportunity to speak with Brian King and Andy Jarvis from the CGIAR Big Data Platform to learn more about their vision for the project. Brian is the Coordinator for the Platform and is based at the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Cali, Colombia. Andy is one of the founders of the Platform as well as the Director of the Decision and Policy Analysis Area at CIAT and is a Flagship Leader on the CGIAR Research Program for Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).
