Riyadh: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Saudi Reef) has underscored the importance of strengthening the capacities of small livestock breeders across the Kingdom and increasing the value of the animal production system to boost productivity and foster investment development in the livestock sector.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Reef highlighted key developmental efforts implemented last year in the digital management of intensive livestock farms, including the first application of the Smart Flock Saudi system, which utilizes Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
Saudi Reef spokesperson Majid Al-Buraikan explained that Saudi Smart Flock is an advanced digital management system for intensive livestock farms that combines IoT with facial recognition technology. This system is the first of its kind globally for small ruminants, thanks to its comprehensive features and advanced capabilities. Tested on six small farms, it demonstrated versatility for both intensive and traditional farming methods. The system's cutting-edge technology identifies animals based on detailed facial features, operating through image recognition to ensure precise animal management.
He further detailed that the system's dedicated platform performs several key tasks, including monitoring livestock productivity, providing real-time health status updates, and managing animal registries.
The small livestock breeding sector is a major focus of Saudi Reef, which aims to boost productivity, increase breeders' incomes, enhance livelihoods, modernize traditional animal production systems, and strengthen food security.