Description/achievement of initiative
Implement the Center Pivot FarmBot technology into worldwide Agriculture production. The technology through precision application reduces or eliminates the use of pesticides, reduces use of water and fertilizer through zero waste application of both. Eliminates the usage of chemical herbicides. Produces no greenhouse gases as opposed to massive greenhouse gas production from tractor operation.The ultra-low impact of the FarmBot technology allows its use in sensitive environments where the noise, traffic, sprays, clearing of land, would disrupt habitats or interfere with species life cycles.
Implementation methodologies
INTA has installed the FarmBot technology in all 28 Agricultural Experiment Stations and offered the use of the FarmBot to area Agricultural Universities to develop applications, tooling and methodologies for the technology.
The FarmBot trust has granted a open source license for the use and application of the FarmBot to any University or Country willing to participate and share the results of their application.
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Coordination mechanisms/governance structure
National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA) has set up 28 Agricultural Experiment Stations in 4 countries to provide facilities for teams to implement new technologies and ideas. INTA has partnered with the Institute for Advanced Engineering and Science, to provide funding through grants, X-prize type competitions and development funding for promising technologies.
The winner of the Agribotics competition for 3 consecutive years, Team FarmBotica, has formed the The FarmBot Trust and with IAES funding has developed the FarmBot center pivot autonomous agriculture technology into a low cost, attachment, to existing center pivot irrigation systems.
Partner(s)
National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA), Institute for Advanced Engineering and Science, The FarmBot Trust, Agricultural Research Service (ARS)