WESTERN GROWERS CAN OFFER SUPPORT IN FIVE KEY AREAS TO ACCELERATE HARVEST AUTOMATION ON FARMS
ENABLERS SHORT DESCRIPTION
ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2022
Changing public opinion of agriculture and addressing next generation workforce could facilitate new technology adoption
• Launched Next Gen Ag Worker program with support from $750k CDFA grant – identified high priority education gaps from growers, curriculum to address, and marketed them state-wide with fall semester launch • Goal of program is to educate 3,000 students in 4 years and subsidize up to 60 internships at $3k each • Partnering with Bayer to incorporate grower feedback into product roadmap for products like high-rise broccoli in other crop types (crop preferences and attributes) • Integration of genetics into field trial program that will include case studies • HarvestWiki launch (Q1 2023) will include information on impact of new farming formats in key crops (multiple trellis formats, substrate operations) so that start ups can identify preferred formats to develop solutions for based on market adoption • Additional best practice sharing around new practices and systems to be shared via podcast, email, and social media to raise awareness among automation start ups
Next Gen AG Workforce
Experimenting with genetic innovation to facilitate harvest automation, e.g., high-rise broccoli
Genetic Innovation
In line with historical broad acre transformation, new farming practices and systems can facilitate harvest automation for fresh produce, e.g., 2D trellis for apples
New Farming Operations
Increased industry collaboration to share best practices around harvest automation
• Worked with key association partners (e.g., Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, California Table Grape Commission) to share 2022 report results and gather additional survey and interview data for 2023 report
Industry Collaboration
Policy updates and regulatory transparency can provide clarity regarding technology development
• Provided support for autonomous rule changes at Sacramento hearing to evaluate variances for autonomous equipment • Began dialogue with Arizona Dept of Transportation on strategy for accelerating commercialization and scale for autonomous agtech providers
Policy Change and Transparency
Source: Western Growers, Roland Berger Figure 39. Enablers to accelerate harvest automation on farms, with Western Growers’ achievement in 2022
– 87 –
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker