Aerobotics Harnesses Artificial Intelligence to Aid Fruit and Nut Farmers
In the realm of agriculture, South Africa’s Aerobotics is at the forefront, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to support fruit and nut growers in boosting their crop yields. Despite its relatively recent establishment just nine years ago, this Cape Town-based company has swiftly expanded its operations to encompass 18 countries worldwide. The United States stands as its largest market, closely trailed by South Africa, Australia, Spain, and Portugal. Annually, the users of Aerobotics’ technology contribute to the production of millions of tons of fresh produce.
The primary focus of Aerobotics currently lies in California, where the company is headquartered. With a significant presence on 76,000 farms and ranches, Aerobotics plays a pivotal role in cultivating over half of the fruits and vegetables grown in the U.S.
Recently, the California Climate and Agriculture system issued a cautionary statement emphasizing the imperative need to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on agricultural produce, underscoring the potential benefits that the state stands to gain from such efforts.
AI Experts Identify Crops in Africa to Combat Food Shortages
Aerobotics has meticulously mapped out more than 600,000 hectares of land in the U.S., with producers routinely uploading over a million images of fruit each month through the innovative AI platform. (Aerobotics.)
Aerobotics steps in to address these challenges by employing AI technology to effectively mitigate these fluctuations and optimize the utilization of increasingly scarce water resources.
The call to action resonates with everyone, as the CEO, James Paterson, notes, “Food security is a global concern. The fruit and nut industry harnesses cutting-edge AI and diverse visual resources.” Paterson further elaborates, “We collaborate with various fruit and nut exporters across the U.S., ranging from grapefruit and wine grape producers in California to apple growers in Washington and seed producers in Arizona and New Mexico. Our extensive mapping covers over 600,000 acres of farmland in the U.S., with growers uploading more than a million grape images quarterly through our system, leveraging our technology to enhance their insights.”
Decoding Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A South African enterprise is leveraging AI to support farmers across the U.S. and in 18 other nations. (Aerobotics)
Drawing from his upbringing on a fruit farm in South Africa, Paterson, who oversees operations in Cape Town and California, recognized firsthand the inherent risks associated with fruit cultivation. This firsthand experience spurred the pursuit of leveraging data to optimize operations and knowledge, culminating in the establishment of Aerobotics.
During his pursuit of a master’s degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Paterson collaborated with computer vision expert Benji Meltzer to establish the now 60-member strong Aerobotics team, focusing on addressing agricultural challenges.
Trained drone pilots and farmers utilize drones and mobile devices to gather data on trees and fruits.
The concept of “farming from a stoep,” a term denoting the porch or balcony in South Africa, resonates with farmers globally. Paterson proudly describes this approach as evaluating produce from the comfort of one’s armchair, facilitated by drone technology.
Drone operators and trained pilots utilize drones and mobile devices to collect data on trees and fruits. (iStock)
In this scenario, AI functions akin to how Amazon Web Services (AWS) servers process data and images to monitor fruit health, status, and forecast crop yields. This data stream facilitates planning for packhouses, sales teams, and retailers, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency.
Moreover, AI significantly reduces the time-consuming task of monitoring pests, with AWS reporting a 20-minute daily reduction in pest and disease monitoring per tree on a 20-hectare farm.
AI Safeguards for the U.S. Agriculture Sector
This data-centric approach contributes to the cultivation of premium-quality fruits and nuts. (iStock)
The imagery captured is subjected to AI models for individual fruit detection and analysis of metrics such as size, color, and external quality. This data undergoes scrutiny through hyper-localized forecasting models to inform subsequent harvest strategies.
As data accumulates within a farm, the models adapt to the specific environmental conditions, enhancing forecast accuracy and enabling year-on-year comparisons. Furthermore, a secondary AI program generates digital models for each tree on the farm, tracking its growth trajectory over time. Each tree is viewed as a production unit capable of yielding top-quality fruit. Drones equipped with thermal and multispectral cameras gather data, either operated by the grower or through a third-party pilot network.
In Lemoore, California, an irrigation canal passes through farmland on June 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)
Aerobotics’ AI system extends its capabilities to identify irrigation issues crucial in today’s water-conscious environment, including leaks, pressure irregularities, and obstructed water lines. The software aids in optimizing fertilizer usage and identifying new, diseased, or damaged trees. Typically, the process of replacing a tree lost to disease entails a five to six-year waiting period for the new tree to reach full production capacity. However, with AI-enabled early prediction, farmers can swiftly reinitiate production within a year.
Moreover, the utilization of per-tree data by AI informs crop insurance policies, safeguarding growers’ production and enhancing U.S. food security.
This data-centric methodology contributes to the cultivation of high-value fruits such as citrus, apples, grapes, cherries, kiwis, table grapes, and pomegranates, alongside nuts like almonds, pecans, and pistachios.
Matt Allred, a customer of Aerobotics from North Bowie Farming in Arizona, a pecan nut producer, attests to the technology’s efficacy in monitoring tree health through drone imaging. The technology enables precise identification of blocks requiring interventions, subsequently enhancing health ratings and overall uniformity across vast acreages.
In conclusion, Paterson emphasizes the pivotal role of AI in revolutionizing their operations and benefiting their clientele. The scalability and efficiency achieved through AI empower Aerobotics to enhance data collection tenfold, driving innovation and progress in the agriculture sector.
Paul Tilsley, a seasoned correspondent based in Johannesburg, South Africa, brings over three decades of experience covering African affairs. Stay updated on his insights by following him on Twitter @paultilsley.
