HarvestEye monitors potato performance in the field

A machine-learning system which monitors the yield performance of root crops as they are harvested from the field has been showcased in Ireland.

The HarvestEye system monitors crop quality and yield – providing growers with valuable information on the crop size and count across the whole field in real time. It was exhibited  at the World Potato Congress in Dublin.

Developed by agri-tech company B-hive Innovations, HarvestEye comprises a patented technology  which uses vision sensing technology to map crop performance – helping growers maximise yields by effectively monitoring crop variability.

The 11th World Potato Congress, which runs from 29 May to 2 June, features more than 1,000 global participants. HarvestEye managing director Vidyanath Gururajan said the event was an export opportunity for the UK-based company.

“We are constantly in dialogue with farmers to see how we can better meet their needs for a crop harvesting insights tool,” he said. “Our product is constantly evolving to improve the accuracy of the harvest performance data across a range of different varieties and soil conditions.”

Fitting to both existing harvesting or grading equipment, HarvestEye is a cost-efficient method to achieve targeted agronomic performance. The system collects data in the field and delivers it to an online information portal.

As well as potatoes, the system has also been used successfully for onion crops by Suffolk-based growers Stourgarden, which purchased two HarvestEye systems installed and commissioned by HarvestEye’s UK distributor Grimme.

Working through the season from middle of July to end of September the two systems sized and counted the entire onion crop. They provided data on 12 varieties onion varieties across 28 fields, monitoring more than 24 million onions.

HarvestEye is expanding in central Europe, the US and the Asia-Pacific region, said Mr Gururajan. “We are enhancing confidence across supply chains and maximising returns for all parties through reduced wastage and increased efficiency.”