AgriSound secures Ł75k funding to pilot insect listening tech

A innovative firm that uses acoustic technology and environmental sensors to assess the activity of pollinating insects has secured Ł75,000 funding to trial its technology.

York's AgriSound has won the backing of Tesco and WWF to implement its process with one of the supermarket's fruit suppliers based in Cambridgeshire. Using its bio-acoustic listening devices called Polly, the firm can detect insects and give growers data that allows them to make decisions that can increase the yield of crops, reduce costs and improve biodiversity.

As part of the Innovation Connections accelerator programme, AgriSound's trial in AM Fresh's fruit orchards is part of a wider ambition to reduce the environmental impact of food production and enhance the resilience of the food supply chain. The programme pairs start-ups with Tesco suppliers in a bid to fast-track innovation.

Casey Woodward, founder and CEO of AgriSound, said: "At a time when biodiversity, including pollinating bee populations, is declining rapidly and the cost of food production is soaring, winning this funding from Tesco and the WWF is a great achievement for our young company. It is exciting to be able to introduce our technology to the Tesco fruit supply chain to help growers encourage pollinators to the right areas at the right time is boosting yields, without the need for additional fertilisers or pesticides.

Continue reading.

Photo created by Drazen Zigic - www.freepik.com

Source: Agritech Future