- The AgroICT and Precision Agriculture research group of Agrotecnio–University of Lleida and the company Talptech present at Breakfast4Inno new technologies that enable more efficient and environmentally respectful crop monitoring and management
Precision agriculture was the main focus of the latest edition of Breakfast4Inno, organized by Agrotecnio and the Agrobiotech Park Lleida, with the aim of showing how innovation and digital technologies can make fieldwork more sustainable and efficient.
The coordinator of the
AgroTICa and Precision Agriculture research group at the University of Lleida and Agrotecnio, Dr. Àlex Escolà, explained that this discipline is based on the collection, processing, and analysis of temporal, spatial, and plant-specific data in order to adapt agricultural decisions to field variability. “The goal is to improve the efficiency in the use of resources such as water, fertilizers, and plant protection products, while increasing productivity, quality, profitability, and the sustainability of agricultural production,” he emphasized.
Escolà explained that these technological solutions allow for detailed adjustment in crop management, such as the use of phytosanitary products, irrigation, or fertilization, according to the vigor of each plant and the characteristics of each field. As an example, he pointed out that these smart applications can reduce product consumption by up to 38% in tree plantations such as vineyards or olive groves, avoiding uniform treatments that may prove inefficient in up to 99% of the treated area.
With technologies such as the
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor, 3D maps of the crop can be generated to optimize the volume of product to be applied. This information, combined with decision support systems like
dosa3D.cat—developed by the AgròTICa group itself—helps farmers determine the optimal dosage based on the type of crop, the pest, and the physiological state of the plant. Additionally, the group provides the agricultural sector with the
Digital Repository of Precision Agriculture, offering open tools and resources that integrate real-time data on soil, climate, and vegetation status.
Talptech, a spin-off of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center
The start-up
Talptech, a spin-off of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC)- with an office at the Parc Agrobiotech Lleida -, presented its digital solutions for precision crop monitoring and management. The company develops advanced systems that enable the individual characterization of each plant and the real-time application of personalized product doses.
“Our goal is to transform the way plant protection products are applied in the field: we move from generic systems to precise and efficient solutions that do not disrupt the farmer’s routine,” explained Talptech’s CTO, Eduard Quiñones.
Talptech’s system integrates cameras, sensors, edge computing, and cloud analysis to generate data on plant vigor, fruit load, treatment maps, and harvest predictions, all while ensuring traceability and compatibility with most tractors. This technology allows for product adjustment on a per-plant basis, monitoring crop growth and vigor, estimating harvest yield, and better resource management, resulting in significant cost reductions. The product is in the experimental phase and is expected to be launched on the market by the end of the year.
AgrifoodTEF, AI and robotics in real-world conditions
Talptech’s system is being tested within the framework of the
AgrifoodTEF project, a European network of testing and validation infrastructures that supports agri-food companies in developing and testing solutions based on artificial intelligence and robotics under real-world conditions.
Also within the scope of this project, the AgroTIC and Precision Agriculture research group at the University of Lleida – Agrotecnio is providing the company with all its expertise to validate the device.
The AgrifoodTEF consortium is made up of some of the leading European players in digital innovation applied to the agri-food industry. The project, co-funded by the “
Digital Europe” programme, was launched in Spain on January 1, 2024, and will run until December 2027.
