Today, we invite you to join us and celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better. As important part of a healthy ecosystem, biodiversity requires for the sustainable development of agriculture, which is believed to be fulfilled by the introduction of smart agritech featuring drone, robot & AI.

According to FAO, biodiversity for food and agriculture is indispensable to food security and sustainable development. Its significance to human can be concluded in three dimensions:

· Provide a rich and diverse range of natural resources that support food production and livelihood. More than 6000 plant species have been cultivated for food.

· Resist agricultural catastrophe and reduce large-scale farming hazards caused by monocultural crop diseases.

· Enable the recycling of natural energy, nutrients and water resources. The loss of biodiversity would pose serious threats to food safety and human health.

However, human activity has altered almost 75% of the earth surface. This has squeezed wildlife and nature into an ever-smaller corner of the planet and resulted in a sharp decline in plant and animal species. Improper use of land and water, as well as chemical pollution caused by pesticide overuse, are the key drivers of biodiversity loss in agriculture.

Geese and robot together in farm (source: AutoSpray Systems)

Our Solution for the UK

In face with nature loss, XAG believes that robotics and automation are the future of food system that addresses a better balance between agriculture and biodiversity. UK is the first European country to embrace autonomous robots for crop spraying and transporting on farms. Due to travel restrictions caused by Covid-19, as well as the end of EU free movement, the British agriculture and horticulture sector is struggling to hire migrant workers.

XAG R150 conducted precise sprays for apple trees in the UK (source: AutoSpray Systems)

The challenge of labour shortage also triggers a new opportunity of growing abundant food and protecting biodiversity at the same time. Over the last few months, the lightweight, all-electric platform XAG R150 has been trialled across England to reduce chemical usage and emission in a variety of orchards, from apple trees, strawberries, to gooseberries and blackcurrent bushes. Full self-driving with high precision spray ensures that only areas in need would receive the treatment. The Dearnsdale Fruit Farm and Grove Estate Vineyard in Stafford just got their first anti-fungal sprays of the year by the R150. It is anticipated that high-quality fruit crops can be farmed without causing pollution of soil and water.

 Local users at Dearnsdale Farm (source: AutoSpray Systems)

No time to waste, No Planet B for us. We are part of the solution to maintaining a beautiful, vital nature.