Groundbreaking agri-tech solutions set to sweeten the deal for South Africa's sustainable energy future - AgriSound
Summary
A new UK-South Africa collaborative project will help turn sugar into energy on an industrial scale and the only loser looks set to be the Eldana Stalk Borer pest.Representatives from the UK Agri-Tech Centre and GYO Systems, alongside project participants from Camperdown, KwaZulu-Natal, who will be working on the hydroponic element of the project.A groundbreaking project led by a British agri-technology company is setting out to address South Africas energy challenges with a revolutionary approach to its agricultural sector.York-based AgriSound, a pioneer in agricultural bioacoustic AI technology, is working with the UK Agri-Tech Centre and GYO Systems based in South Africa, to help improve yields of sugarcane through improved monitoring of crop pests. AgriSound will deploy the innovative Polly insect listening device to enable growers to track and eliminate the increasing damage caused by destructive pests such as the Eldana Stalk Borer. This element of the project will target Camperdown, KwaZulu-Natal, an urban settlement close to one of the main sugarcane growing areas in South Africa, approximately 60km northwest of Durban and 20km southeast of Pietermaritzburg. Therefore, sugarcane offers massive economic and environmental rewards for South Africa.However, with yields seriously impacted by crop pests and excess land-use for crops under heavy scrutiny due to competing food/housing resources, this project aims to solve two pressing local problems in one move all whilst working closely with local communities to deliver employment and economic development opportunities.South Africas critical energy production challenges are also exacerbated by the ongoing load-shedding episodes, often leaving more than half of the population without power due to the inadequate power infrastructure. We expect it to contribute to tackling the energy crisis and climate change while providing substantial economic and social improvements, and reduce the countrys carbon footprint, all within the span of 12 months.AgriSounds long-term plan is not only aimed at boosting energy generation but will also ensure the land remains fertile and available for future food and housing needs.We are very excited to do this groundbreaking research which has the potential to revolutionise the bio-energy industry in South Africa.