Leeds researchers lead UK-Jordan centre for climate-resilient agriculture
University of Leeds researchers are leading a UK–Jordan partnership using artificial intelligence to help agriculture respond to drought, water scarcity, and other climate pressures.
The UK–Jordan Centre for AI-Driven Early Warning Systems for Climate-Resilient Agriculture will bring together researchers from the University of Leeds and Al-Balqa Applied University in Jordan. It is led by Professor Gehan Selim from Leeds’ School of Civil Engineering.
Jordan faces significant challenges from climate change, water scarcity and land degradation. The project will develop and pilot an AI-powered early warning system that combines satellite data, ground-based sensors and machine learning.
The system will identify and forecast indicators, including crop stress, drought risk and changes in soil moisture, providing timely information for farmers, water managers and policymakers.
Professor Selim said: “Climate resilience increasingly depends on our ability to turn complex environmental data into information that people can use at the right time.
“Through this partnership, we want to combine expertise in AI, remote sensing and environmental monitoring with the knowledge and experience of farmers, researchers and decision-makers in Jordan.
“Our ambition is to build the skills, partnerships and infrastructure needed to make a lasting contribution to agricultural resilience and water management.”
The collaboration will establish a centre of excellence in AI and early warning technologies, supported jointly by Leeds and Al-Balqa Applied University. It will also offer training and knowledge exchange in AI, geospatial analysis, climate-data interpretation and remote sensing for researchers, students, agricultural professionals, policymakers and technical specialists.
The project builds on an established partnership between the University of Leeds and institutions in Jordan. Professor Selim and colleagues have previously collaborated on projects involving digital technologies, geospatial methods and sustainable development.
The team aims to develop an approach that could be expanded beyond the initial pilot areas and adapted for other arid and semi-arid regions facing similar climate pressures.
