By the AGRIVI that works on the EFRA project.
For thousands of years, farmers have had to compete with other organisms — namely insect pests, pathogens, weeds and wildlife— to ensure food security. These “biotic” (i.e. living) causes of crop loss can be just as harmful as “abiotic” (i.e. nonliving) stressors such as drought, extreme temperatures, nutrient deficiencies, and high or low irradiance, often working in tandem to substantially limit crop production. Crop loss isn’t just an agricultural concern; it’s an economic imperative. We dissect the harsh reality of potential yield losses and the economic toll due to pests’ attacks worldwide, shedding light on how these reductions in productivity impact the global food system.
This article explores the complex relationship between pests and crop yields, highlighting AGRIVI’s pest detection algorithm, which promises to detect pests and assist farmers in minimizing crop losses. This initiative operates within the EFRA framework and with the collaboration of project partners.
Crop Loss Assessment: Understanding Potential Yield Losses and Crop Protection Efficacy
Crop loss assessments summarize the difference between the attainable yield of a healthy crop and the actual yield of a diseased crop, helping farmers identify the necessity of an intervention. Without adequate protection measures, major food crops can suffer losses of up to 70%, with weeds contributing to 30% of these losses, followed by insect pests (23%) and pathogens (17%) . Globally, pests are responsible for 20-40% of yield reductions, amounting to a staggering $290 billion in economic losses, according to the FAO. However, crop loss figures vary significantly across countries and crop types. For instance, in the Netherlands, perennial crops like stone fruits and apples typically experience standard yield losses of up to 5%, whereas in Brazil, coffee crops can suffer losses of up to 45% . Despite the challenges in conducting comprehensive crop loss assessments, agricultural research focuses on developing models that consider various metrics, ranging from qualitative crop injuries to quantitative losses, spanning pre- to post-harvest damage.
Harnessing Technology for Precision Pest Management
In our modern era, technology emerges as a beacon of hope in the fight against pests. AGRIVI uses cutting-edge pest detection algorithms and real-time weather data to help manage insect pests, pathogens, and weeds on your farm. Based on the precise location of your fields, AGRIVI identifies possible pest occurrences for over 200+ crops, with built-in alarms triggered 7 days in advance, alongside custom weather alarms suited to your needs.
Enhancing Pest Prediction: The EFRA Project
As part of AGRIVI’s journey within the EFRA Project and through collaboration and innovation, we aim to elevate the predictive capabilities of our Pest Detection Algorithm, equipping farmers with even sharper tools to safeguard their crops and livelihoods.
AGRIVI collaborates with the Wageningen Food Safety Research and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, leading the “Food-safety Optimal Pesticide Use” use case. Our collective goal is to enhance AGRIVI’s existing pest and disease algorithm. The current algorithm utilizes pest appearance criteria, weather forecast data, and location data to deliver timely alerts farmers regarding specific pests, predicting their type, location, and potential invasion time to aid in protective measures.
The updated algorithm aims to enhance prediction accuracy and provide optimized recommendations for pest management. Real-life tests – pilots – with existing AGRIVI users, encompassing diverse regional climates, are planned to begin before summer 2024. These tests involve farmers from multiple countries, enabling the collection of accurate, up-to-date data on-site for in-depth data analysis, particularly focusing on climate changes and pest behaviors This use-case is strategically designed to significantly enhance our understanding of how pest behavior shifts in response to changing climate conditions.
This comprehensive approach will enable AGRIVI to refine and enhance our database, ensuring it accurately reflects the conditions under which various incidents occur, thereby improving the software’s effectiveness and reliability. Prediction technologies such as AGRIVI’s pest detection alarms are crucial to help farmers react preventively and in a timely manner, ensuring a healthier crop yield, protecting the environment, and cost savings. In the context of climate change, which is likely to alter pest behaviors and potentially increase the frequency and severity of pest infestations, this kind of research becomes even more critical.
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261219403002540
[2] https://www.fao.org/pest-and-pesticide-management/about/understanding-the-context/en/
[3]Barbosa, D. H. S. G., et al. “Field estimates of coffee yield losses and damage threshold by Meloidogyne exigua.” Nematologia Brasileira 28.1 (2004): 49-54
[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5207401/
