Pegara's BirdShield AI Featured in UNDP's Digital X Solution Catalogue

Pegara Japan G.K. has announced that its AI solution, BirdShield AI, has been featured in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)'s global digital solution platform, the Digital X Solution Catalogue. This innovative application is specifically designed to mitigate issues related to bird and wildlife damage in agricultural settings. With successful trials conducted in Zimbabwe, BirdShield AI stands out as a scalable solution with the potential for adaptation in fisheries across Japan.

Addressing the Common Challenge of Avian Damage

Bird and wildlife-related damage poses a significant challenge faced by communities worldwide, affecting crop production and fishery resources. This issue deeply impacts food security and the livelihoods of agricultural and fishing professionals, particularly in regions across Africa and Asia. In response, the UNDP's Digital X Program aims to discover and support digital solutions that can effectively address such social challenges. By collaborating with governments and UNDP offices worldwide, they work to scale solutions that combat these pressing issues.

An Overview of BirdShield AI

BirdShield AI combines artificial intelligence with drones and real-time reporting to provide an innovative modular solution for the early detection and non-lethal dispersal of harmful bird populations. Farmers and extension workers can report bird activity via a simple interface on their smartphones, leading to the creation of real-time risk maps that highlight areas of high danger. The system utilizes drone observations and AI models to monitor large bird populations and their breeding grounds. Unlike traditional methods that rely on harmful chemicals for control, BirdShield AI employs environmentally friendly techniques to non-lethally scare away birds, providing a cost-effective, scalable, and replicable solution.

Implementation and Social Impact in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, BirdShield AI underwent field trials in collaboration with UNDP Zimbabwe and local government agencies, targeting the Quelea bird, a significant threat to small grain crops. Feedback gathered from community surveys and direct observations revealed a substantial reduction in the time farmers previously spent on manual bird control. This freed up time can now be directed towards income-generating activities for women and additional learning opportunities for children. The outcomes of this initiative are aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Quality Education (Goal 4), Gender Equality (Goal 5), and Zero Hunger (Goal 2).

Reverse Innovation in Japanese Fisheries

Building upon insights and technologies developed in African agricultural settings, BirdShield AI is also being applied to mitigate avian damage in Japan's fishing industry. By leveraging the data and AI models gathered from its use in Zimbabwe, Pegara aims to adapt this solution for challenges posed by bird species such as ducks in Japanese waters. This initiative embodies the concept of reverse innovation, where solutions developed in the Global South are utilized to tackle problems in Japan.

Inclusion in the Digital X Solution Catalogue

The Digital X Solution Catalogue is part of UNDP's Partnerships for Scale Program, which collects and visualizes effective digital solutions from around the globe. Featured as a