5 questions for Leon Noordam
'The soil suffers from heavy machinery'
H-WodKa Foundation stimulates the sector with a call to stimulate the development of lightweight robots for work on land. The tractor has seen better days, it says. H-Vodka chairman Leon Noordam sees that the clay soil is suffering from the increasing weight of the large machines. Things have to change.
About 30 arable farmers are represented in the De Hoeksche Waard on the Map (H-WodKa) foundation. They all farm on the South Holland island of De Hoeksche Waard, near Rotterdam. The aim of the foundation is to stimulate innovation for land-based agriculture while at the same time creating conditions for the development of landscape values. Boerenbusiness spoke with chairman Leon Noordam about the future of the tractor.
The tractor has seen better days, you say. What does the future look like?
"The tractor is a compromise. The advantage is that it can be used universally and can therefore work enough hours to be profitable. A self-propelled machine is better equipped for the task, but lacks the versatility. On clay soils, the increasing weight is an issue. Heavier machines are at the expense of the soil. By using tools with their own power source, you lose a lot of ballast."
How has the call for autonomous vehicles landed in the sector?
"We are receiving positive feedback. Not only are fellow farmers interested, but there is also attention and enthusiasm for it in political circles. That is also necessary, because current legislation hinders the rise of autonomous vehicle technology. However, the technology comes first. then the law will follow."
How soon do you expect robots to do the work on the land?
"A first step is to allow existing vehicles to work autonomously. This technology is already available. Robot tractors are driving around in fruit cultivation, among other things. Labor is a bottleneck in the sector. How do you find enough people with a technical background? Robotization can help with this. Traditional tractor manufacturers are committed to further developing the current concept. We want to attract ideas from other sectors to agriculture."
What problems do arable farms experience in practice?
"You can see the consequences of heavy mechanization with high axle loads. Water remains on the land faster and crop growth stagnates or can only be maintained with more input. This is certainly the case on clay soil with a high groundwater profile. 500 hp tractors are not our future to achieve the desired labor efficiency.By working with robots, there is gain for the soil and by applying 'clean' (electric) propulsion we also tackle environmental issues such as CO2 emissions. That is an item that is growing in interest."
The prices of arable products have been at a low level for some time. Does this hinder investment in new technologies?
"This will not have a positive effect on investments in new technologies in the short term. However, we have to look ahead. There is still a big gap between current practice and full robotization, so there is work to be done."
An artist impression of a self-propelled power harrow made for H-WodKa.
Niels van der Boom
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.