© FAO/G. Zhvaniya FAO is developing a mobile application that will help identify cattle breeds. An AI system is being created in Georgia to recognize local livestock breeds Economic development
Georgian cattle breeds have become part of a new digital project. Its goal is to preserve the genetic diversity of the country’s agricultural resources.
The project is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Center of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia. Specialists went to the mountainous regions of the country to collect data on local breeds. They plan to use the information to develop a tool based on artificial intelligence designed to recognize breeds.
Global database
Data will be received in FAO’s Domestic Animal Diversity Information System is a global database that tracks nearly 9,000 breeds of 38 animal species around the world. Currently, 48 breeds from Georgia are registered in the system, including 40 local and eight regional transboundary breeds. About half of them already have conservation data, but for many breeds information on population size is still missing.
“Georgia has a rich livestock heritage and a strong foundation to build on,” said FAO livestock specialist Tibor Szuch. – By improving data on animal genetic resources and strengthening collaboration between institutions, we not only support national priorities, but also contribute to the global knowledge needed to preserve livestock diversity for future generations.” FAO. The organization, in particular, is developing a mobile application that will allow field specialists to photograph animals, after which the system will determine their breed.
First tests in other countries have already shown the high accuracy of this tool. Creating a similar application in Georgia will require the collection of reference images of local cattle breeds.
Towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
By combining better reporting with practical digital tools, FAO and its partners aim to help Georgia create an effective system for monitoring and conserving agricultural diversity animals.
This work includes reporting on progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.