Focus Area: Harvest & Post Harvest
Mar 03 2024
Harvest and post-harvest technologies help mechanise the labor-intensive harvesting process. Advances in machine learning, AI, and mechatronics enhance safety, resource management, and logistics efficiency. Post-harvest automation includes handling, sorting, packaging, and inventory management.
Harvest and post harvest technologies enable growers to mechanise the labour intensive harvesting process. With improvements in machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and mechatronics, this technology is set to have big impacts in areas including safety, resource management, and logistics and value chain efficiencies.
Post harvest automation includes product handling and sorting, packaging and inventory management.
Automating your operations will usually require on-farm connectivity and a workplace design that allows machines to work effectively.
Harvest and post harvest technology that combines artificial intelligence and machine learning with precision robotics and sensors allows growers to:
- Generate real-time analysis about harvest quantity and quality.
- Support selective harvesting thereby more accurately targeting quality and/or yield specifications.
- Reduce the cost of labour for picking, packing, and sorting.
- Operate around-the-clock and perform multiple functions (e.g. picking and sorting) simultaneously.
The difficulty of harvest automation in horticulture, compared to broadacre cropping, is that horticultural produce requires a higher degree of accuracy and manual dexterity. This means robots need improved perception and sensors to detect produce specifications and then selectively harvest without causing damage to other produce or the supporting plant. Such sophisticated technology can come with a hefty price tag, and it is important to consider whether automating your harvest will provide sufficient return on investment.
Despite these challenges, robotic pickers and harvesters offer several valuable opportunities to growers. For example, in orchards and greenhouses, automated harvesting solutions use artificial intelligence and machine learning to recognise and pick fruit ready for harvest while leaving the unripe fruits to continue ripening.
A Good Place to Start
Choosing the right solution (or a combination thereof) for your business will depend on the size and scale of your operations, your production methods, connectivity, existing infrastructure, and data integration.
It’s important you consider these factors when deciding what technology to purchase. While many agtech companies can provide this support, there are also independent websites and advice that can assist. AgTech Finder is an independent resource you can trust.
If finding the time to conduct this research is difficult, then try searching the ‘Help & Advice’ section of our website. There are 36 podcast episodes to listen to that talk through the benefits of adopting agtech, with each episode focusing on a particular piece of technology.
If you already have an idea of what you need, visit our Product Directory and filter your search by focus area and solution type. Click the star on the product image to add it to the comparison tool. This will allow you to compare product features side-by-side.
If you don’t know where to begin, start by browsing our wide variety of resources in the If you can’t find the advice you’re looking for, get in touch with us and we’ll work on developing a resource that helps you, and other farmers in the same predicament.
Relevant Help & Advice:
Sep 02 2024
Ep 33:Talking Soil Probes with Sentek
In this episode we hear about soil probe technology, what's available now, how it's used by farmers and the new tech on the horizon.
Read MoreAug 19 2024
Ep 31: Talking on-farm robotics with SwarmFarm
This episode of the AgTech Finder podcast investigates robot farm machinery. It's no longer a sci-fi fantasy, it’s already on-farm and impacting how farmers manage their operations.
Read MoreSep 25 2023
Ep 12: Spray Advisory with INCYT
EPISODE 12: This week on the AgTech Finder Podcast, host Olivia Calver explores the technology that advises growers on when and how to spray in order to improve spray efficacy and reduce…
Read MoreAug 07 2023
EP 5: Precision Ag with Green Atlas
EPISODE 5: This week host Olivia Calver talks all things precision agriculture, an area of agtech that has been around for 30 years but is continuing to expand and grow in accuracy, affordability,…
Read MoreList your company on AgTech Finder.
AgTech Finder helps Australian Farmers and producers find the product that’s right for them.
Register now to be a part of the community, get access to a national platform and start gaining insights to improve your products.
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Register now to be a part of the community, get access to a national platform and start gaining insights to improve your products.