Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Food for Thought: Startups Harness AI to Nurture the Future of Agriculture

16/10/2021

From counting cows to detecting weeds to pollinating tomatoes, startups around the world are deploying AI technology to solve problems that farmers have struggled with since the dawn of time.

Tomorrow's World Food Day comes as startups are mobilized to change how our food is grown - with potentially wide implications for the economy, public health and the climate. And they're often employing the NVIDIA Jetson edge AI platform and NVIDIA Metropolis intelligent video analytics application framework to do so.

The agri-food industry employs 1 billion people worldwide, more than any other economic sector. However, labor shortages are an increasing problem in many areas. Moreover, the way we produce, consume and waste food exacts a heavy toll on the planet, putting pressure on natural resources and the climate.

The good news is that many innovators and emerging companies are tackling these challenges, including more than 300 startups that are members of NVIDIA Inception. The program, which has more than 8,500 members, is designed to nurture startups in AI, HPC and data science with tools, training and technology expertise that help them to get to market faster.

Here's a look at a handful of startups that are using NVIDIA technology and AI to change the future of agriculture.

Giving Bees a Break AI-powered robots are as busy as bees, literally and figuratively. Arugga, an Israel-based startup, has built robots that pollinate tomato plants, a job usually occupied by bumblebees.

Most of the bees that currently buzz about tomato farms are mass-produced and shipped to customers. Otherwise, intense manual human labor is required.

Arugga's robots give both bees and farm workers a break, using the NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX module to streamline the pollination process. At one customer site, they've already increased harvest yields by 20 percent.

The company uses the NVIDIA Metropolis intelligent video analytics platform to develop and deploy its computer vision systems that detect flowers ready for pollination and then blast air pulses at them to initiate pollination. While its robots are pollinating tomato fields, they also collect annotated data, which is used to retrain and benchmark the robots' AI models.

Weeding Out Weeds Some weeds can resist the herbicides used in row-crop agriculture, but they can't resist AI - at least the type that Greeneye, an NVIDIA Inception member based in Tel Aviv, has developed.

The startup's AI-driven smart sprayers, powered by NVIDIA Jetson, detect and target individual weeds - and precisely deliver a measured but lethal dose of chemicals - in a matter of milliseconds.

Similarly, Bilberry, a startup based in Paris, has used NVIDIA Jetson to develop technology that recognizes weeds and precisely applies herbicides in corn and wheat farms.

Farms that have employed technologies developed by Greeneye and Bilberry have seen over 90 percent reductions in chemical and herbicide usage, as well as decreased costs from water and soil contamination.

Moreover, Greeneye uses its technology to collect large-scale, high-resolution agricultural data and insights from the field that are then delivered to farmers and other stakeholders.

Perfect (Computer) Vision in the Field Computer vision startups are also envisioning new heights and standards for agricultural processes.

Plainsight, an NVIDIA Metropolis partner, is working with a global food company to reduce inaccuracies in livestock counts. Within the cattle industry, livestock such as cows reside in tight quarters and move quickly, making it difficult for farmers to report accurate numbers, which can lead to hefty financial losses.

The startup has developed AI-powered video analytics applications for cameras to detect, track and precisely count livestock. Its technology stack is built on the NVIDIA EGX platform and processes multiple streams per GPU in real time to monitor and count livestock.

Results from one deployment have shown a 99.5 percent accuracy rate - a two percentage point increase from traditional manual counting processes. This can add up to huge cost savings across herds thousands of head strong.

https://blogs.nvidia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Plainsight_VisionAI_Cattle-Counting-1.mp4

Likewise, University of Florida researchers are tapping into computer vision to build smart sprayers of agrochemicals to fight citrus disease, which is threatening orchards, killing fruit and drastically lowering crop yields across the world.

Their image recognition models, which run on the Jetson edge AI platform, detect plant sizes to optimize the amount of crop protection products and fertilizers sprayed. This cuts down on overspray and reduces the amount of wasted material that is washed into the groundwater.

Many NVIDIA Inception members will present their innovations at GTC, from Nov. 8-12. For example, this GTC session, titled: From Fish Facial Recognition to Self-Driving Seeders: Discover How Edge Computing Is Modernizing Agriculture, will discuss how AI is revolutionizing the way we produce food and helping us cope with the dramatic changes our world faces.

Register for free for GTC.
LINK: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2021/10/15/ai-startups-agriculture-world...
See more stories from nvidia

Most recent headlines

27/11/2025

Vizrt Launches Viz One 8.1 With AI-Powered Features

LONDON Vizrt has added several AI-driven advanced features offering improved speed, intelligence and accuracy in the newest version of its media asset managemen...

27/11/2025

Prime Video Debuts AI-Powered Video Recaps

Prime Video has launched AI-powered video season recaps in a beta version for select English-language Prime Original series in the U.S., a move Amazon is callin...

27/11/2025

Tonight on RT Prime Time, serious child protection concerns emerge over online gaming platform, Roblox

Roblox, one of the world's most popular online gaming platforms for primary ...

27/11/2025

The Ultimate Black Friday Deal Is Here

Black Friday is leveling up. Get ready to score one of the biggest deals of the season - 50% off the first three months of a new GeForce NOW Ultimate membership...

26/11/2025

SVG Sit-Down: Prime Video EP Mike Muriano Previews Massive Black Friday Slate Featuring NFL, NBA, and Golf

SVG Sit-Down: Prime Video EP Mike Muriano Previews Massive Black Friday Slate Fe...

26/11/2025

Inside the Archives: Winter Is in the Air and in Our Festival Films

A cinematic snow sculpture at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival. Photo by Randall Michelson...

26/11/2025

10 Book Podcasts You Can't Miss

Book podcasts are booming. On Spotify, you'll find everything from celebrity book clubs to deep dives with bestselling authors. And in markets where audiobo...

26/11/2025

JioStar and Nielsen Unveil Breakthrough Cross-Screen MeasurementStudy, Redefining Advertising Effectiveness in Live Sports

Mumbai, November 24, 2025: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, JioStar, in collab...

26/11/2025

ITN Deploys IP-Based Production Control Room

LONDON Factual content producer ITN Productions has launched a new low-latency IP gallery for news bulletins....

26/11/2025

YouTube TV, TelevisaUnivision End Lengthy Blackout

MIAMI TelevisaUnivision said it struck a new multiyear distribution agreement with YouTube TV that includes distribution of TelevisaUnivision's U.S. network...

26/11/2025

OpenDrives Bridges the Gap Between IT and Creatives with...

OpenDrives, Inc., a leader in software-defined data storage and data services, today announced the launch of the Atlas Corporate Creative Solution. This new Atl...

26/11/2025

Disguise to Showcase Future of Event Visuals at LDI 2025

Disguise, the industry-leading company powering the world's biggest live performances, is partnering with pioneering LED wall manufacturer DVS to give atten...

26/11/2025

HighField AI Expands Global Channel Partner Network to Ac...

HighField AI, the pioneer in agentic and multimodal automation for broadcast and media production, today announced the expansion of its global channel partner n...

26/11/2025

Mono Streaming selects PlayBox Neo to manage English Prem...

As high-stakes Premier League fixtures approach and additional premium content launches, with MONO positioning themselves to dominate Thailand's sports stre...

26/11/2025

Bell Centre arena in Montreal elevates fan experience wit...

Hosting a wide variety of events from high-intensity NHL games to complex live music concerts and major entertainment productions, Montreal's 21,000 capacit...

26/11/2025

Vizrt launches AI-powered advances for speed and accuracy...

Vizrt, the leader in live production technology revolutionizing viewer engagement and experience, releases AI-driven advances focusing on speed, intelligence, a...

26/11/2025

ITN Launches Low-Latency IP Control Room Powered by Teche...

ITN Productions, an award-winning factual content producer, today launched a new low-latency IP gallery for news bulletins. Responsible for delivering a leading...

26/11/2025

Ikegami Maintains Initiative in Broadcast Systems Develop...

Ikegami reports ongoing advances throughout 2025 in developing and delivering coordinated television production solutions that maximize quality, versatility and...

26/11/2025

Fubo, NBCUniversal Trade Barbs in Carriage Dispute

Following the Nov. 21 blackout of NBCUniversal channels on Fubo, the two sides have traded barbs about their inability to reach a new carriage deal....

26/11/2025

Global Sports Rights Spending to Top $78 Billion in 2030

LONDON As TV sports rights become increasingly important for both broadcasters and streamers, Ampere Analysis predicts global investment in the genre will surpa...

26/11/2025

Vubiquity Earns AWS Media & Entertainment Competency Status

LOS ANGELES Vubiquity said it has achieved the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Media & Entertainment Competency as part of the AWS Partner Network (APN). This designa...

26/11/2025

Comcast Pays $1.5 Million to Settle FCC Data Breach Probe

WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau said it has entered into a consent decree with Comcast calling for the cable company t...

26/11/2025

Berklee Named to the Hollywood Reporters Top Music Schools List

Berklee Named to the Hollywood Reporters Top Music Schools List The publication highlights the college's screen scoring program, industry partnerships, and ...

26/11/2025

YouView Achieves Greenly Gold Certification for Sustainability

YouView Achieves Greenly Gold Certification for SustainabilityNov 26, 2025 YouView is proud to announce a Gold Certification award from Greenly for our perform...

26/11/2025

Netflix Deepens Partnership with Taiwan's 62nd Golden Horse Film Festival, Launches New Talent and Storytelling Initiatives

Back to All News Netflix Deepens Partnership with Taiwan's 62nd Golden Hors...

25/11/2025

Tracy Bonareri Onchoke: Winner, Young Journalist Award 2025

Tracy Bonareri Onchoke, an investigative journalist from Kenya is the winner of the Thomson Foundation's Young Journalist Award 2025. The 26-year-old-sele...

25/11/2025

SVG All-Stars: Blayke Scheer, Senior Director, Creative Content, YES Network

SVG All-Stars: Blayke Scheer, Senior Director, Creative Content, YES NetworkThe Indiana alum has turned storytelling into an artform for more than two decadesBy...

25/11/2025

Op-Ed: With FCC's C-Band Auction on the Horizon, Broadcasters Need Proven, Cost-Effective Alternatives

Op-Ed: With FCC's C-Band Auction on the Horizon, Broadcasters Need Proven, C...

25/11/2025

Analysis: Is Baller League Really the Future of Sport?

Analysis: Is Baller League really the future of sport? By Callum McCarthy, Editor-at-Large Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - 10:10 Print This Story With KSI on...

25/11/2025

Platinum Whitepaper: The Growth of Broadcast in the World of Major Large Scale Events with SOS Global

Platinum Whitepaper: The Growth of Broadcast in the World of Major Large Scale E...

25/11/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: SVG Women's Sports Workshop

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: SVG Women's Sports WorkshopBy Samantha Gabay Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - 10:27 am Print This Story | Subscribe Story Highlig...

25/11/2025

SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: CacheFly's Matt Levine on the Evolving Role of the CDN and Prioritizing Throughput

SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: CacheFly's Matt Levine on the Evolving Role of th...

25/11/2025

Peacock's EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast Levels Up on Thanksgiving With SkyCam as the Primary Angle and More Madden Elements

Peacock's EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast Levels Up on Thanksgiving With SkyCam as...

25/11/2025

Sauna Is an Intimate Exploration of Queer Love and Identity

Mathias Broe attends the 2025 Sundance Film Festival premiere of Sauna at Library Center Theatre. (Photo by Michael Hurcomb/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Fes...

25/11/2025

5 Reasons to Try Spotify Premium This Holiday Season

The best playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks bring a little extra magic to your daily routine. With new features and offerings, Spotify Premium delivers even mo...

25/11/2025

New Study Reveals Australians Love Discovering New Music

Comprehensive new research confirms what we already knew: Australian music fans love the quality, quantity, and access they have to new and local music on strea...

25/11/2025

Why Use a SIM Card With The SNYPER-5G

Applicable Products Objectives The purpose of this application note is to give a brief background on 5G (NR) wireless communication an explain the reason a SN...

25/11/2025

Lionsgate and Nielsen expand partnership to deliver first-ever combined FAST channel and digital network measurement

Nielsen will now measure both Lionsgate's FAST channel MovieSphere and Movie...

25/11/2025

AP Switches to DaVinci Resolve Studio for Global News Production

FREMONT, Calif. Blackmagic Design said the Associated Press has completed the transition of its global video-editing platform to DaVinci Resolve Studio....

25/11/2025

Berklees Inaugural Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole Scholarship Awarded to Paris Pineyro

Berklees Inaugural Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole Scholarship Awarded to Paris P...

25/11/2025

Traditional TV Players Gained Viewers in October: Nielsen Gauge

NEW YORK NFL and college football coverage, the MLB postseason and the new fall broadcast-TV season contributed to major gains for traditional media companies a...

25/11/2025

Tower Products CEO Jim Veltrie to Retire Dec. 30

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. Tower Products, a manufacturer and distributor of pro video and audio equipment here, said President and CEO Jim Veltrie will retire from the c...

25/11/2025

Sinclair Makes Unsolicited Bid to Buy Scripps at $7 a Share

Following last week's disclosure that it had acquired a 8.2% stake in E.W. Scripps, Sinclair has filed papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission pr...

25/11/2025

VEON's QazCode and MeetKai Sign Agreement to Power National LLM Training and Local-Language Agentic Services Across VEON Markets

25 Nov 2025 VEON's QazCode and MeetKai Sign Agreement to Power National LLM...

25/11/2025

UKTV acquires three shows from Paramount Global Content Distribution for U, U&W and U&alibi

UKTV has acquired a high-profile slate of US dramas from Paramount Global Conten...

25/11/2025

Will Sharpe, Paul Bettany and Gabrielle Creevy star in a spectacular five-part event series Amadeus: Full Trailer Released

A symphony of genius, rivalry and vengeance, boldly reimagined from Peter Shaffe...

25/11/2025

Bradford Young named 2025 FilmLight Colour Awards Jury President'

Article courtesy of Cinematography World Read the article FilmLight has finalised the prestigious 2025 FilmLight Colour Awards jury and welcomed award-winning...

25/11/2025

Correccin de color en Chespirito: Sin Querer Queriendo

Article courtesy of Prensario Read the article La serie fue dirigida por Juli n de Tavira, Rodrigo Santos, y David Leche Ruiz, con direcci n de fotograf a a...