Fermata, a data science company specialising in computer vision agriculture solutions, has won this year’s FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award (FLIA). Selected from nearly 70 entries, Fermata’s computer vision and image analysis technology, Croptimus, won in the fresh produce sector.
Fermata said its victory highlights the growing importance of agtech solutions addressing challenges that growers globally encounter daily.
Croptimus employs image analysis and machine learning algorithms to continuously scan crops, providing real-time insights into plant health. Operating 24/7, the system analyzes each plant to uncover and identify pests and diseases, as well as additional threats such as nutrient imbalances, general plant health issues, and damage from mechanical sources. By identifying the exact pest or pathogen linked to the plant, along with the damage it causes, Croptimus allows for more targeted and effective treatments, decreasing unnecessary pesticide use while reducing costs.
By automating the labour-intensive task of crop scouting, Croptimus has helped growers cut scouting costs by 50%. Rather than searching for issues, growers can concentrate on addressing problems, responding to emerging threats, and improving crop quality.
“Receiving the FLIA award is a significant accomplishment for the entire Fermata team,” said Valeria Kogan, CEO and founder of Fermata.
“Our team has invested five years into developing Croptimus, as we understand the importance of providing growers with actionable insights to enable optimal and efficient use of resources. This acknowledgment marks a significant milestone for us, and we look forward to the continued impact we can have throughout the horticulture sector.”
Jim Cornall is editor of Deeptech Digest and publisher at Ayr Coastal Media. He is an award-winning writer, editor, photographer, broadcaster, designer and author. Contact Jim here.
