A drone maneuvers through a greenhouse, targeting tomato and strawberry flowers for pollination. This scenario represents automated pollination, a method introduced by Polybee, an ag-tech startup leveraging drones and artificial intelligence to facilitate plant growth in environments devoid of natural pollinators. The initiative aims to mitigate the unpredictability traditionally associated with agricultural practices.
Utilizing 3D imaging, Polybee's technology offers insights into the expected size, weight, and yield of agricultural produce, addressing the sector's inherent uncertainties. "Despite agriculture being one of the first inventions, it is still plagued by a lot of uncertainty in its operations," Polybee's chief executive, Siddharth Jadhav, stated, emphasizing the goal of securing food supply chains.
The technology's approach to pollination involves using the drone's airflow to generate vibrations, enabling pollen release and self-pollination. This innovation is supported by Hort Innovation and Artesian investment firm through a newly established $60 million venture fund, targeting early-stage startups that could drive transformation within the horticulture sector.
Amid fluctuating domestic market prices and anticipated export growth, particularly in citrus, nuts, and grapes, the Australian horticulture industry seeks to overcome challenges such as high production costs, labor shortages, and the impacts of extreme weather. Hort Innovation's investment in startups like Polybee underlines a commitment to fostering novel technologies and methodologies that could enhance sustainability, reduce costs, and increase consumption within the sector.
Polybee's collaboration with Australian growers, including a significant partnership in South Australia, underscores the country's receptiveness to agricultural innovation. "What I've seen in Australia is remarkable in terms of the growers' willingness to collaborate, their openness, and how forward-looking they are about technology," Jadhav remarked, highlighting the critical role of early support in advancing their technology's adoption.
Source: Lismore News