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Smart Apply, acquired last year by John Deere, reduces the use of chemicals in woody crops by 50%. The “Icarus” project, developed by the startup Graniot Satellite Technologies in partnership with the multinational fertilizer company Yara, utilizes satellite imagery to generate specific recommendations for fertilization and biostimulation. These two projects contribute to the objective of the John Deere Parla Innovation Center on its second anniversary: to transform the agricultural sector into a more productive, efficient, and sustainable activity.

On October 9, 2024, John Deere, a global leader in machinery, solutions, and technology for agricultural professionals, launched 2 new projects to enhance the efficiency and productivity of high-value crops at the John Deere Parla Innovation Center, which is celebrating its second anniversary this October.

These projects include Smart Apply, a disruptive solution that reduces chemical use by up to 50% in spraying woody crops such as vineyards, olive trees, and fruit trees, and “Icarus,” an innovative project between the startup Graniot Satellite Technologies and the multinational Yara, aimed at generating personalized fertilization and biostimulation recommendations based on the current condition of each crop, utilizing satellite imaging data.

Following the philosophy of other successful projects already developed in this innovation hub, such as “Demeter” (Abastores and John Deere) and “Atlas” (a proposal by SpherAg in collaboration with Azud and Metos), these new initiatives are collaborative efforts that integrate the innovative vision of a startup with the expertise of a leading agricultural company to enhance the value added to woody crop production systems.

In this context, the John Deere Parla Innovation Center benefits from the expertise of 9 leaders in the permanent crop production system (AGQ Labs, Agromillora, Azud, BASF, Industrias David, John Deere, Metos, Teyme, and Yara) along with unique proposals from 9 startups (Abastores, Auravant, Biome Makers, Eden Library, FarmLabs, Graniot, Guss, Smart Apply, and SpherAg). Additionally, it includes participation from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and has the institutional support of the Parla City Council.

Smart Apply reduces input use by 50%

The Smart Apply project, an American company acquired by John Deere in 2023, enhances the precision and performance of the sprayers used for woody crops such as vineyards, olive trees, or fruit trees. Specifically, it employs advanced LiDAR technology (Light Detection and Ranging) to assess the leaf volume of each tree or vine and adjust the exact quantity of chemicals needed.

This results in reducing inputs by up to 50%, thus decreasing the costs associated with acquiring these products while increasing crop profitability and minimizing environmental impact.

“Icarus” optimizes fertilization and biostimulation for olive cultivation

Meanwhile, the “Icarus” project focuses on improving the management of fertilization and biostimulation in crops by combining the analytical capabilities of the Andalusian startup Graniot with Yara’s expertise in plant nutrition. Yara is the project’s mentor and a leading company in the production of fertilizers and biostimulants with the know-how to create a map with individualized doses per tree compatible with John Deere and Teyme’s technology.

Graniot is responsible for providing preemptive data on the state and dimensions of each tree in the crop by utilizing high-resolution satellite imagery. This valuable information, combined with Yara’s recommendations, aims to optimize nutrient application rates and increase efficiency in nutrient delivery in the olive grove.

The Innovation Center now hosts 10 disruptive projects

Designed as John Deere’s first global innovation center for high-value crops, it aims to develop solutions that enhance efficiency in irrigation water application, precision technologies for fertilizer application, innovations for soil health improvement, and solutions that increase the efficiency and implementation of organic fertilization for various purposes.

To this end, the Innovation Center is now home to 10 projects aimed at improving the performance of high-value crops. Of these, 8 are entrepreneurial initiatives, such as “Atlas,” which uses IoT technology to control and optimize crop irrigation based on climate and specific water needs, and “Demeter,” a digital marketplace that offers updated market prices for major crops (corn, wheat, barley, oats, etc.) to help some farmers quickly sell their products.

The other 2 projects are academic research coordinated by PhD students and faculty from the Higher Technical School of Agronomic, Food, and Biosystems Engineering (ETSIAAB) at UPM. One study focuses on precision fertilization based on soil mapping in olive groves, while the other studies the long-term impact of minimal pruning in vineyards.

A second anniversary marked by significant institutional presence

This morning, the anniversary event for the Innovation Center took place at John Deere Ibérica’s headquarters in Parla (Madrid). It was attended by high-profile figures such as: Luis Planas, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Isabel Bombal, General Director of Rural Development, Innovation, and Agro-Food Training; Ramón Jurado, Mayor of Parla; and John Coronado, Commercial Attaché of the U.S. Embassy in Spain.

During the event, more than 80 industry professionals were able to attend several expert panels discussing the main challenges facing agriculture in the short term, including production costs and new regulatory measures, water availability, and a shortage of skilled labor, as well as the achievements of the innovation hub over these 2 years.

According to Javier Fernández, head of the Innovation Center: “The agricultural sector is undergoing a transformative period that requires innovations to address the challenge of balancing sustainability with food security. In light of this challenge, all of us collaborating at the innovation center are firmly committed to continuing to make advances that will drive agricultural activity toward a more productive, efficient, and sustainable future.”