Anasac, together with its partner Smartdici (a technology company), are leaders in innovative solutions for the agricultural sector. They present the Bigfrut System, a project that emerged five years ago with the aim of addressing the challenges of agriculture, initially focusing on yield estimation. Hernán Aguilera, Anasac's Head of Innovation and Technology, shares revealing details about the development and evolution of this project.
The project originated with the intention of solving the problems associated with yield estimation in agriculture, specifically in the cultivation of cherries among other fruit trees. Difficulties in counting fruit were identified, and existing methodologies proved to be unsystematic, with potential significant degrees of error. This challenge drove the need for a more accurate and systematic approach to counting fruit.
Hernán Aguilera highlights the evolution of the project in facing the challenge of counting fruit, identifying unsystematic methodologies in estimating yield. The key was learning to count fruit from a more systematic perspective, completely changing the paradigm.
“The project initially focused on the quantification of fruits, carried out in a period close to the harvest. However, it was discovered that the importance of this information lay in its value. Therefore, an additional variable was incorporated into the system: the value of the information. This adjustment led to a change in the perspective of the project, especially in the case of cherries, where the observation period from the darts was extended,” said the expert.
The technology manager also emphasizes the importance of adapting foreign technology to the Chilean reality. “The system uses technology adapted to the Chilean reality, which goes beyond simply estimating yield. The strength of the Bigfrut System lies in its ability to provide detailed information on each stage of orchard development. From the saplings to the period of fruit with leaves, precise scans are made of the orchard with the 100%, which allow strategic decisions to be made in orchard management,” adds Aguilera.
The system has positioned itself as a comprehensive tool that goes beyond yield estimation. The ability to perform early scanning, especially with darts, has led to greater technical feasibility. 3D maps of orchards using Lidar sensors and high-speed cameras mounted on motorcycles provide valuable information on fruit and plant structure.
Bigfrut's latest innovation is a system mounted on farm tractors or motorbikes, allowing self-management of counting, where agricultural companies can amplify their existing counts and obtain information in an engaging way. This flexible approach provides options for those who prefer a full service and those who want to have direct control.
The Bigfrut System has proven its effectiveness in cherry cultivation, providing detailed information on uneven flowering and the annual dynamics of the trees. Aguilera stresses that this system has transformed the perspective of agriculture, offering precise and valuable information to optimize the management of orchards.
In conclusion, the Bigfrut System by Anasac and Smartdici represents a significant milestone in Chilean agriculture, providing innovative and precise solutions to agricultural challenges.
