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Emission-free bush berry production (SunBot)
Project
Project code: EIP-Agri-BR-2018-LPLGMPGE01
Contract period: 01.01.2018
- 31.12.2020
Budget: 1,591,078 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: farming practice/activity, farming equipment, plant production and horticulture, energy
In berry production the number of required cultivation runs is very challenging. The farms reach their limitations of labor resources and costs which lead to losses in yield and quality along with reduced competitiveness. Many orchards would like to directly use their self-produced electricity. But suitable electric drives are still missing. Emissions and energy cost can be reduced by self-produced solar energy. As automation can enhance the productivity a driverless electric tractor is being developed. Project aim is an emission-free bush berry production - improving sustainability, cost efficiency, and labor productivity. A functional model of an autonomous electric tractor with an innovative electric mower is built up, along with a charging station powered by the on-farm photovoltaic system. Its influence on cultivation activities, procedural costs, workload, and energy demand will be analyzed. The project will reveal that more frequent cultivation can increase yield and quality of bush berries and prove that autonomous, electrically powered technology will enhance the profitability, sustainability, and environmental impact of berry production.
Section overview
Subjects
- Agricultural Engineering Plant Production
- Arboriculture
- Computer science
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB)