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7. Other technology approaches, particularly near infrared and multi- spectral imagery, offer alternatives to in- or on-the-ground solutions. Though they are not silver bullets, they will play an increasingly important role in helping farmers make sense of the soil and other environmental factors.


Making decisions about the most efficient application of water, fertilizer and crop protection chemicals requires information from a variety of sources. This checks-and- balances approach matches application with need and maximizes application uniformity to improve both quality and yield, while minimizing costs and risk. For example, satellite and aerial imaging, as well as ground-based sensors of fertilizer, light, temperature, humidity and precipitation — all combined with “walking the field” — create a holistic view of field activity that enables predictive analysis and intelligent action.


So, where are these advancements coming from? Israel has been a strong source of


sensor innovation — from both historic industry leaders and current players, including a company developing an inexpensive, field-based sensor platform that is user friendly, simple to deploy and complements daily farming practices. New Zealand and Australia have also produced several innovative enterprises that have been incorporated into companies like CropX and Observant (acquired by Jain). The United States, home of the largest farm economy, remains the target for startups such as AquaSpy, Hortau and Phytech.


However, many young companies focus first on high-value crops (grapes, tree nuts and vegetables), then reduce prices as volume increases to penetrate the larger commodity crop market. Yet the high- touch support demanded by high-value crop farmers is difficult to scale without the use of automation and sensor technology. Companies focused on commodity crops, such as Farmer’s Business Network, FarmLogs and Taranis, can also benefit from sensor data to enhance existing data modeling technology.


All farmers will increasingly need an integrated range of tools that help them make sense of soil and environmental factors. While there is no substitute for walking the fields, sensors can provide quantifiable data over time to produce more consistent growing results. It is clear we still have much to learn about how the soil works, but the advent of new, less expensive sensors will create farm management practices that can be integrated as part of a broader, intelligent decision support system.


Arama Kukutai is the CropX chairman and a


co-founder and partner at Finistere Ventures, an agriculture and food technology venture


capital firm. He has 20 years experience working in the agribusiness sector as a company founder and


entrepreneur. He is an active member of the ag tech community and serves as a director on the boards of current Finistere portfolio companies Crop Pro Insurance, Plenty, Taranis and Zeakal.


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