This way, plant diseases, pest infestations, and insufficient irrigation can be detected in a timely manner, allowing the farmers to monitor their farm independently of their physical presence on the latter and to take measures against these problems quickly and only where needed. This not only avoids unnecessary blanket applications of pesticides for example, but also increases efficiency of management. Furthermore, Egrobots' solution creates a social impact, as the resulting higher yield of production increases food security.

For these reasons, the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) has been chosen Egrobots as the ISC3 Start-up of the Month for September 2024.

How does the Egrobots innovation work? The robot is programmed to roam through the farm autonomously and collect data such as temperature and humidity for the soil as well as for each individual plant. The submillimetre image resolution is so clear, that the user can distinguish between different insect damages, lesions, different nutrient deficiencies, weed species etc. Multi-layer analysis of imagery delivered by satellites and drones or airplanes provides high insight context and quality. Egrobots works with experts from Cairo university to inform and train proprietary AI and Machine Learning algorithms, perfecting current knowledge and enabling adaptability for new threats. Although there are competitors with different technologies on the market, this young company´s solution provides the highest data value with the lowest prices yet available.

The processed data is then accessible to the farmers through a handy mobile app, giving them the possibility to surveil the well-being of their crops in real time - independent of the actual presence of the farmer. Furthermore, a management platform allows the users to connect to other farmers, suppliers and byers. Besides increasing the health and yield of production, as well as improve management, predictive planning for future agricultural management is made possible. 

The whole success story of the Start-up of the Month in September 2024 is currently told by the ISC3 on its website at Start-up Egrobots (isc3.org).

Three questions for Akhlad Alabhar (CEO & Founder of Egrobots):

What led to your solution in Sustainable Chemistry?

Akhlad Alabhar: The idea came from our own struggles with managing our date palm farm efficiently. We realized that if we could automate data collection and analysis, we could significantly improve farm productivity and sustainability.

What does being chosen as ISC3 Start-up of the Month mean to you?

A. Alabhar: Being chosen as ISC3 Start-up of the Month is a great honor. It validates our approach to sustainable agriculture and helps raise our profile in the industry.

What’s next up at Egrobots?

A. Alabhar: Our future plans include expanding into new markets, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, developing new features for our platform, and exploring partnerships with larger agricultural companies.