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Real-time nutrient sensing for mapping fertilizer needs

Project description

A solution for optimising crop nutrient levels

In the heart of every farmer’s endeavour lies a pivotal challenge: the delicate balance of nourishing crops with the right nutrients. The intricate dance between nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, collectively known as N-P-K, holds the key to robust yields and sustainable agriculture. So, how can farmers precisely determine and manage these nutrients across vast fields and changing seasons? To answer this question, the EIC-funded LiveSen-MAP project will assemble an extensive, high-resolution data set of crop nutrient statuses across multiple growing seasons. A key aspect is the creation of 20 000 cutting-edge test strips designed to assess the essential plant nutrients N-P-K. These strips will undergo field testing in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, marking a significant step towards real-world validation.

Objective

Within the project LiveSen-MAP, we will collect in collaboration with farmers for the first time a high-resolution dataset of the crop nutrient status over multiple growing seasons, to validate and deploy an ensemble of predictive models for field-scale and region-scale nutrient prescriptions. We will produce 20,000 of our test strips for the main plant nutrients N-P-K for field testing at test sites in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia over the project duration. Together with farmers, we will develop our business model and drive product development. Collaborating with potential customers early on will be key for (i) deploying our technology to create the dataset needed to consolidate machine learning-based predictions and for (ii) testing the business model and verify our competitive position in the intended market. The insights gained from potential customers will be combined with a detailed stakeholder and market analysis to validate the business model and pricing strategy. We will be able to identify and engage key strategic partners such as agricultural and digital businesses. In this way, we can build and strengthen our network to highlight the unique value of our approach as a tool for reorienting towards a more sustainable and resource-efficient agriculture in Europe and beyond.
The project results will be commercially exploited by a company that will over a subscription-based fertilization recommendation service to farmers.

Coordinator

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN
Net EU contribution
€ 2 499 955,00
Address
Arcisstrasse 21
80333 Muenchen
Germany

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 2 499 955,00