Potato breeder HZPC is expanding the pilot with the so-called 'smart' big bags for seed potatoes. This after a successful first trial with 80 big bags. A new feature is that a temperature sensor is also added to some of the bags this time.
In the past year, HZPC conducted a trial with 80 'smart' big bags for seed potatoes. These bags were fitted with a chip with which buyers in Spain can immediately receive variety and cultivation advice in their own language via their smartphone. Now the company reports to expand the pilot. Over time, 1.100 smart big bags will be sent to customers in Turkey, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Serbia, Bulgaria and France.
A new gadget is also being added to 100 of those bags, namely a temperature sensor. "Parties can be on the road for weeks, sometimes with transshipment between truck, train and ship. Fluctuations in temperature do not benefit the quality. By measuring the transport conditions, any complaints about quality can ultimately be better traced," the company reports.
Focus on new varieties
Marketing specialist Hans Langedijk explains that the smart big bags are mainly used for the newest varieties. "If growers are unfamiliar with a variety, the willingness to learn about it is greater and they are more likely to download the variety and cultivation information. With young varieties, it is extra important to monitor the entire process, including transport. In this way, any bottlenecks in practice can be better identified."
The first smart big bags are now on their way and the delivery will continue until April 2021. An evaluation will then follow. "If the pilot confirms our positive expectations, we hope to expand the many possibilities step by step," says Langedijk. Sensors for humidity, CO2 and shock intensity may then also be added. Whether the company will integrate the chips as standard partly depends on the costs and is therefore not yet able to say.
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