Obonuco TecnoLab students named finalists in Samsung innovation contest

Students from the Obonuco TecnoLab research group at the Institución Educativa Municipal Obonuco in Pasto, Colombia, have become national finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 competition. Their project, AgroRed Solidaria, was selected from more than 2,300 proposals submitted by educational institutions across the country.

AgroRed Solidaria utilizes artificial intelligence to support small-scale farmers by identifying crop diseases and providing treatment guidance through a mobile application. Designed for rural areas, the app is capable of functioning without a permanent internet connection to address local connectivity challenges. The initiative also integrates traditional agricultural practices, such as the chagra and minga, to promote community cooperation and food sovereignty.

This achievement follows recent recognition for the institution's AquaData project, which was named the best departmental research group in the Ondas Nariño Program for its work on environmental monitoring and water resource management.