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Subsurface Precision detection of Asparagus with Robot Technology for Selective harvesting

Objective

Harvesting of white asparagus is still performed manually due to the absence of cost-effective harvesting technology. To date, there are no harvesting machines available, to realise economically viable harvesting cost reduction. Next to undesired working conditions, manual harvesting is characterised by high harvesting cost: 50% labour costs, 30% yield loss and 25% low quality asparagus.

Cerescon has developed an automated harvesting technology for white asparagus. This will result in a 50% harvesting cost reduction, 20% increase in yield and 20% increase in production of top class asparagus. Three patented technologies are key: subsurface asparagus detection, a precise cutting mechanism and high processing. This results in 50% harvesting cost reductions and significant reduced losses (from 30 to 5%). The Wageningen University and Research (WUR) conducted a successful technical evaluation and validation of our technology.

We now need to scale-up and improve our current prototype to the final setup with all functions while realizing 20% overall cost price reduction. Three important steps form this project: 1) scale up Sparter to have a 3-row configuration, 2) realize cost price reduction of core modules and, 3) demonstrate the reliability, robustness and verify yield and quality increase during two full asparagus harvesting seasons.

The user needs have been defined by the Cerescon User Group. The last two years, eight leading asparagus farmers from the Netherlands, Germany and Spain have provided us with their challenges, industry knowledge, application know how and their requirements. They have all signed a Letter of Intent and are the first customers.

Our commercialisation strategy focuses on European asparagus farmers (€900 million market) who suffer from a harvesting cost increase. Europe represents almost one third of the world's asparagus market, providing a large primary customer base.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

CERESCON BV
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 498 042,00
Address
DE GEESTAKKERS 5
5591 RC HEEZE
Netherlands

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Zuid-Nederland Noord-Brabant Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 3 089 426,25
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