In a groundbreaking move to tackle water scarcity and drive climate-smart agriculture, the University of Sharjah (UoS) has partnered with IBM to launch the My FarmWell Mobile App. This pioneering solution empowers farmers across the UAE and the wider MENA region with real-time insights into groundwater levels, crop suitability, weather forecasts, and irrigation needs — all at their fingertips.
Developed as part of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator Program, the My FarmWell App marks a major advancement in the use of AI, cloud computing, and environmental intelligence to address regional agricultural challenges.
Transforming Farming Practices in Arid Zones
The My FarmWell App offers a suite of features designed for ease of use and localized relevance. It provides hyper-local well data, weather forecasts, and water quality assessments that support smart irrigation decisions, optimal crop selection, and efficient use of limited groundwater resources.
Key Features of My FarmWell App:
Live Weather Dashboard integrated with IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite
Well Monitoring for groundwater levels over time
Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) to guide crop selection
Farm Water Calculator to estimate crop water demand
Farming Chatbot “Welly” for 24/7 guidance
Market Prices and Legal Resources for farm input and compliance
Multilingual Access: Supports both English and Arabic
Leadership Speaks
Prof. Essam El-Din Ajami, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, emphasized the university’s commitment:
“This app is a key milestone in our mission to deliver impactful, research-driven solutions that serve the people of the UAE and the wider region.”
Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies at UoS, added:
“My FarmWell connects scientific research with real-world challenges. It empowers farmers to manage scarce water resources and boost productivity.”
Dr. Adewale Giwa, Principal Investigator and Associate Professor at UoS, noted:
“We wanted to build more than just an app — we built a smart farming companion that guides users through every step of their agricultural journey.”
Shukri Eid, General Manager, IBM Gulf, Levant, and Pakistan, said:
“IBM is proud to collaborate with the University of Sharjah to translate sustainability goals into reality using AI and hybrid cloud. My FarmWell showcases technology’s power to drive positive impact.”
Solving the Water Crisis with Smart Tech
The MENA region faces some of the highest levels of water scarcity in the world, with agriculture consuming over 80% of freshwater resources. My FarmWell directly addresses this issue by providing data-driven guidance that helps farmers:
Monitor groundwater changes in real-time
Adjust irrigation schedules for efficiency
Choose crops suited to specific water conditions
Avoid overuse of fertilizers and pesticides
By placing scientific and regulatory insights into a mobile platform, the app serves as a one-stop tool for enhancing farm sustainability, even in rural, low-connectivity zones.
From Sharjah to the World: A Scalable Solution
This app is part of a broader IBM initiative to apply tech for good in vulnerable communities around the globe. The IBM Sustainability Accelerator supports NGOs and research institutions working on environmental resilience. My FarmWell is one of its flagship projects in the Middle East.
Using IBM’s advanced platforms such as:
IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite
IBM Watson for AI analysis
IBM Cloud and hybrid cloud infrastructure
…the app ensures high performance, security, and flexibility.
User-Friendly Innovation for Farmers
The University of Sharjah team prioritized accessibility, making My FarmWell available in both Arabic and English, with a clean, responsive interface that adapts to all smartphones.
Designed for Farmers, by Scientists, the app’s features include:
Easy-to-read groundwater charts
Color-coded water quality ratings
Chatbot replies in natural, conversational language
Visual dashboards for weather and irrigation
Push notifications for weather alerts and regulatory updates
AI, Machine Learning, and Sustainability
Behind the scenes, the app uses machine learning algorithms to:
Analyze trends in groundwater levels
Match water quality with optimal crop types
Calculate estimated water needs for over 30+ crops
Predict weather impact on irrigation cycles
It turns raw environmental data into actionable farming recommendations, ultimately reducing water waste, preventing crop failure, and improving yields.
Community Outreach and Future Development
The University of Sharjah plans to organize workshops and training programs for local farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and environmental NGOs to boost adoption. The roadmap includes:
Adding more regional languages
Expanding datasets to include multiple countries
Integrating remote satellite-based mapping
Connecting with UAE government portals for subsidies and reports
The app is also being piloted with government support to extend its use in national climate adaptation programs and food security strategies.
Alignment with National and Global Goals
My FarmWell supports multiple national and global goals, including:
UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051
UAE Vision 2030 Sustainable Agriculture
UN SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
UN SDG 13 – Climate Action
UN SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
Conclusion
The My FarmWell Mobile App is more than a digital tool — it is a life-changing innovation for farmers in water-scarce regions. By putting cutting-edge technology in the hands of those who need it most, the University of Sharjah and IBM are creating real-world impact on food production, environmental conservation, and rural livelihoods.
As the region braces for more climate stress, solutions like My FarmWell provide a path forward — empowering farmers with knowledge, resilience, and growth.
