科技英语新闻:IBM signs deal with Israeli agricultural software house

JERUSALEM, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Traditional farming may have found an ally on the Internet, via an Israeli "cloud-based" software system that enables farmers to get professional information and tips from colleagues worldwide.

And IBM is interested in what they have to say.

Agriculture Knowledge On-Line (AKOL) says its Internet-based system can aid global agriculture by utilizing the collective knowledge of kibbutzim (communal farms in Israel) and other agricultural experts, to offer small farmers personalized solutions to improve dairy output and crop production, and better prevent droughts.

Owned by Kibbutz Bror Hayil in southern Israel, the software house has recently signed a cooperation and development agreement with IBM to manage access and technology issues.

"What we do here is like a bank of information and IBM provides the special tools for the end users," AKOL's CEO Roni Shani told Xinhua, "and you can do what we call 'agricultural market.'"

"For example, if someone in Australia needs advice on how to grow their crops better, they can just ask our advice or search through our database to find the best product for the country they 're growing the crops in," Shani said.

"Let's say someone in India, a small farmer, has a problem with their crop or chickens," Shani explained, noting that "it's usually very expensive and time consuming to get someone to come and check what is wrong."

But, for a monthly fee, a basic subscription service enables the end user to access the software database, which allows "the farmer to just look at the pictures and pick the one that will explain what the disease or problem is and offer a solution, and if it is available in their country."

AKOL claims about 1,000 customers over the globe.

"We just started developing it for use outside of the kibbutz with IBM's help," Shani said, "and we are developing it also in other parts of the world, like China. Right now we're cooperating with the Chinese government to help milk producers get the most out of their milking systems."

Israel is one of the leading countries in milk production, with each cow yielding around 12,000 liters of milk a year on average. Two Chinese provinces plan to use AKOL's milking control system, in order to better manage their herds and equipment and increase milk production.

"And this is just the beginning," Shani explained, "because we are also working with other developing countries. This software will help millions of small farmers in rural or impoverished areas, that will be able to get advice and benefit from other farmers' experience on the spot and at a very affordable rate."