“Despite economic uncertainty, farmers are ready to innovate.” This is indicated by a new global study by the consulting company McKinsey, according to which many farmers in different countries want to try out new products and technologies in the coming years. And this intention is already visible, as several manufacturers in the Western world are betting on so-called precision farming-oriented crop management software or hardware applications in order to reduce costs and increase their production. This news is good enough for new smart farming companies that are developing solutions in Greece and abroad, such as robotic systems for distributing fertilizers or sensors for monitoring agricultural production after harvest, even technological systems that help turn waste into high-quality feed. for … chickens. Their dynamism is also evident from estimates of the development of the smart agriculture sector, whose market is expected to exceed $30 billion in the coming years. Of course, the introduction of such technologies in our country is a fight against obstacles for farmers, as they worry about the cost, as well as the lack of training.

In Greece, several companies have invented technological solutions that not only promote sustainable cultivation, but also reduce costs for the farmers themselves. Such is the case with Augmenta, a Volos-based company created by Dimitris Evagelopoulos and George Varvarelis. The team has developed a system (hardware and software) that is installed on the roof of agricultural machinery, scans the field and monitors the crop (rice, wheat, cotton, corn and generally all grains) in real time. The system, which consists of multispectral cameras, then uses artificial intelligence and machine vision to “pick up” those parts of the field that need fertilizer or some other chemical, and automatically decide to apply as much fertilizer as is needed in that area of ​​the field. field that is required. In the eyes of manufacturers, this solution is useful, as it allows you to reduce the amount of chemicals and fertilizers, while reducing the impact on the environment. “In addition to distributing fertilizers, our system is also used to apply fungicides, herbicides or other pesticides,” Mr. Varvarelis told K. “In the case of herbicides, the system can and does recognize weeds, that is, it knows where they are in relation to the soil, and only sprays them. Thus, thanks to the system, the savings in chemicals are more than 50%.” This has a positive impact on the environment, on the producer’s “pocket”, as well as on his health and the health of the consumer. In the future, the same system will be able to support other functions, such as harvesting and plowing fields, allowing farmers to apply it to other machines (such as combine harvesters) in addition to the tractor. “The goal is to be able to automate every action that a farmer performs with his machines in the field,” says Mr Evagelopoulos “K”.

Augmenta from Volos has sold sensor systems in 26 countries that help agricultural production.

Radar Augmenta has traveled to almost every continent, as the company has sold 500 of these systems in 26 countries in Central Europe, North America, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Ukraine and South Africa. The company employs 60 people, most of whom work at the research and development center in Metamorfosi, where it develops and manufactures its products. In addition to Athens, it has offices in the US and has so far raised about $12 million from international and Greek investors, including CNH Industrial, one of the largest agricultural machinery companies, and Marathon Venture Capital, a Greek fund. Augmenta technology has attracted the interest of investors and companies from time to time, and it is possible that a “deal” will be struck in the near future, which is expected to further strengthen its development. “In the next decade, we will see huge changes in the industry, as the amount of food available to the whole world should increase by 2050,” says Mr. Varvarelis.

Centaur Analytics, a company based in Volos with a presence in Athens and Southern California, has developed its own “radar” to protect agricultural products. The startup company has created high-tech sensors that monitor food storage conditions (wheat, corn, rice, flour, etc.) by sending measurements of temperature, humidity, oxygen, etc. to avoid product spoilage or deterioration. According to Sotiris Banda, Managing Director of the company, “the company has major projects in Australia to protect the new crop of grains, as well as in Brazil to relocate soybean production.” With a shortage of fertilizers and raw materials due to the war in Ukraine, its technology helps producers to safely store their stocks so as not to record losses. Sensors are placed in bunkers, warehouses, ship holds or containers, allowing the user to monitor characteristics related to the quality of agricultural products in order to immediately intervene if necessary to “save” production.

Container – mini farm for food processing

Is there a connection between food waste, worms and chickens? The answer could be yes if you look at the technology from British startup Better Origin. Fotis Fotiadis and Slovene Miha Pipan have used all of the above and developed a technology that “mimics” nature and helps to process food. An innovation in the X1 container mini-farm, in which soldier worms consume fruit and vegetable waste, turning them into protein and fat, and the worms themselves become quality food for chickens. These chickens are raised to produce eggs, which are then sold to supermarkets, from which Better Origin receives waste, creating a sustainable and local food chain. “That is, we take their waste ourselves and make food for our chickens,” he explains to “K”. “At our clients’ farms, we are seeing a 4% increase in hen egg production, a nearly 50% reduction in animal mortality and improved feed intake.” According to the company, the X1 mini-farm could reduce carbon emissions by 565 tons per year, which equates to taking about 122 vehicles off the road.
In fact, the entire feed production process is automated, and the containers are assembled in Greece in cooperation with manufacturers in Crete. “Our technology uses artificial intelligence in the process of breeding the worm, not in processing it. That is, we integrate cameras into the system that capture cells with worms and monitor how fast they grow, how much food they need, whether they are healthy, etc., he says.

The company works with supermarkets such as the Morrisons chain or large supermarket egg companies. So far, the company has leased 14 containers to be placed on its customers’ farms, and by 2023 the company plans to build a plant with 40 farms that will process organic waste into pet food, mainly for cats and dogs, or fish food. farms. Its expansion into pet food is also opening up fans to its customers, potentially knocking on the doors of leading food companies around the world such as Nestle.
Better Origin was founded in Cambridge, England in 2015 and after 5 years of research, released its product in 2020. It recently “raised” a $16 million funding round, declaring itself sufficiently funded, although it is possible that it will also continue to raise funds in the context of a new funding round (Series B) throughout the year.