Written by Charlotte Cunningham
A start-up which aims to use cutting-edge technologies to help farmers improve crop yields has raised £250,000 to launch its first product, a ‘crop scouting’ system which predicts the size and timing of harvests. Charlotte Cunningham reports. Start-up firm Earth Rover has raised funding from the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF). The system, which is suitable for high value crops such as broccoli and lettuce, is currently being trialled at Polybell Farm in Doncaster, one of the UK’s leading organic vegetable producers. The Earth Rover system uses cameras fitted to a tractor to scan the plants and measure their growth as the vehicle passes through the fields on routine farm operations. The data is then analysed using artificial intelligence (AI) housed in a supercomputer on board the tractor. Accurate predictions The firm, which is based in Shrops, aims to provide more accurate predictions to help them produce the right number of crops – enough to meet contracts with buyers while avoiding food waste that has to be ploughed back into the fields. It also helps farmers plan their harvesting labour requirements. Earth Rover…
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