Through its 4Afrika Initiative, Microsoft Corp has launched a new collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) at the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) to co-create tech-solutions in agriculture.

The partnership will support digital transformation of the alliance as it works to improve food security for about 30 million farming households.

Through the tie-up, the US-based tech giant and AGRA will explore cutting-edge technologies like big data and artificial intelligence in supporting precision farming that increases farm productivity as well as profitability.

Microsoft announced to invest up to R40 million into the South African agricultural landscape in order to boost sustainability in the farming sector.

The funding will also be geared towards using technology to make agriculture a commercially viable, efficient and sustainable activity.

“There is no doubt that South Africa’s smallholder farmers have significant potential to drive growth and employment opportunities, as well as enable other sectors within the country to ultimately drive food security. This makes it critical to invest in the sector to address the challenges they face,” said Lillian Barnard, Managing Director at Microsoft South Africa.