Large scale agriculture can learn from greenhouse automation
"Our system can save over 30% on pumping energy costs and water waste", said Omri Morag. Together with a group of agriculture entrepreneurs he founded the Epoint Agro. "Modern greenhouse operations are known for their efficient and sustainable water use and irrigation strategy. Computers and growers make very precise crop strategies in order to grow as efficiently as possible. Unfortunately it is not possible to do the same in open field agriculture, as you are not growing in a closed environment. But we have translated the idea and developed a system that makes effective use of water & fertilizers and creates energy efficient water management at the same time. As well as this, the system can be educated and make factual based decisions."
Hans van Bokhoven and Omri Morag at the Agritech in Tel Aviv, Israel last week
With their new system, Epoint Agro is targeting growers of irrigated agricultural crops. For example the hundreds of hectares with bell peppers and tomatoes under simple plastic structures that have no climate control. "Especially in the warmer climates of countries like Israel and in the middle east where there are many low and medium tech farms that have thousands of hectares. With our system and technology we can prevent outrageous, inefficient water usage on irrigated farms, which has been a major contributor to water shortage, energy waist, fertilizers pollution and unnecessary access applications of agrochemicals.
One of the developers and founders of Epoint Agro is Hans van Bokhoven. In his past career Van Bokhoven worked for horticultural automation company, Hoogendoorn, where he was the developer of the Letsgrow Platform. According to him, the knowledge and approach of greenhouse automation is now translated to large scale agriculture. "Our system allows to control plots of 400 hectares or more with a systematic approach. The control platform works from a grower perspective; "talk" crop & production units, not hydraulics. The growers set the demands, the system executes it in the best way."
If you would like to learn more about Epoint Agro, please contact:
Omri Morag
T: 972 52 501 7679
F: 972 4 6287135
morag.omri@gmail.com