Bringing smart agriculture solutions to
farmers and agri-businesses

    Agrivi Ltd and Petrokemija, one of the biggest fertilizer producers in SEE region, today signed a strategic partnership agreement for digital agriculture. Petrokemija is a regional leader in fertilizer production with a major presence in Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. With their 1.700 employees, Petrokemija delivers over 1 thousand tons of fertilizers to over hundred thousand growers. Petrokemija recognized the importance of digital agriculture for their growers and set it as one of its key strategic focuses in the following period.   Agrivi is one of the key global leaders in farm management software, supports farmers in over 150 countries worldwide and works with major stakeholders of the agricultural value chain like big ag companies (seed/fertilizers/chemicals), ag retailers, food processing companies and ministries of agriculture. Agrivi will support Petrokemija with digital agriculture solutions to help them bring added value to growers in the region, ensure better collaboration with growers and support growers to take care of their soil sustainability and ensure the right nutrients for their crops in order to improve their yields and profitability.

Managing a successful vineyard is not so easy, so farmers often use modern tech tools like Agrivi farm management software to track all farm activities, finances and, the most important, vineyard productivity and profitability, i.e. overall vineyard health. Agrivi allows them to identify why grapes on some fields grow better, find out exact cost per kg/lb for every variety per field, identify ROI for every vineyard and analyze the whole farm production. Agrivi for Winemakers Winemaking has been around for thousands of years. It is not only an art but also a science. Winemaking is a natural process that requires little human intervention, but each winemaker guides the process through different techniques, thus making the wine unique.   Agrivi farm management software is not intended only for managing vineyard activities but also for wine cellars activities. In Winery Add-on, winemakers are enabled with:   Manage Wine Cellar Activities Wine management module allows you to monitor all activities in the wine cellar during the process of wine production, such as destemming, crushing, decanting, adding of additives, fermentation, and packaging. It gives you complete control over all activities in the wine cellar in one single place. The list of tasks in the wine cellar; tasks can be filtered per bins, activity categories and batches (varieties)   Measuring All Important Wine Factors The Winery module helps you keep track of every wine measuring you do—sugar, sulfur, pH, acid, temperature or any other factor significant in wine production. Measured wine parameters of Cabarnet Sauvignon wine in Agrivi Winery module You can also analyze all measurements per every barrel which gives you an insight into the ratio of the two most measured parameters e.g. sugar-acid or pH-alcohol ratio or something else. Measurments analysis; you can analyze up to two parameters at once within a single batch   Wine Production Traceability & Costs Use wine management module to get traceability reports for every wine and bottle in your wine cellar with a single click. With traceability, you can see all the steps in wine production, from making of must and wine to packaging. If something happens to a certain wine batch, you'll know the exact date and storage place in which that wine was stored. Wine traceability in Agrivi Winary module   Whether you have quality certificates or not, Agrivi lets you monitor all important aspects of your production and prepare required reports easily. Agrivi offers various tools to help farmers manage their production. The Agrivi Winery Module comes as an add-on to the Agrivi platform and helps to manage vineyard and wine cellar activities all at once. Plan your wine production batches and start tracking all farm production activities, use Agrivi. TRY NOWfor free

Pest and disease occurrence is one of the main causes of lower than expected yield. Damages can be huge, depending on the size of surface, scope of infection, and weather conditions. Weather conditions in particular have an important role in pest and disease occurrence. Lower or higher temperatures, combined with rain and high moisture are the trigger for occurrence of many pests. Agrivi's intelligent pest alarms help you react on time and perform protective measures to save your crops. How do these alarms work? For every field you have, you receive a detailed weather forecast. Agrivi uses pattern recognition algorithms to match weather forecast with optimal conditions for pest & disease occurrence. If they match, the system will send an alarm warning you about possibility of infection. Example of a pest alarm   For every pest and disease, the system will give you a list of active substances with which you can treat this pest, whether it's chemical, organic, or biological. Every active substance can be clicked on, to reveal a list of commercial products containing this active substance. Pest, diseases & weeds knowledge base   Agrivi detects pests automatically, but you can also set up your own alarms for pests and diseases, by creating weather alarms. To setup weather conditions you have to enter basic information such as: time period, minimum and maximum temperature in this time period, and other desired weather conditions. You can also assign this alarm to all of your crops and fields, or individual ones. If weather conditions match with the parameters you entered, the system will notify you immediately. Setting up your own weather alarms   It is scientifically proven that on time protection is the most important step in preventing yield reduction due to pests. If plant protection is performed after pest occurrence, the damage is significantly higher. For example, leaf scald of barley (Rhynchosporium secalis) can reduce yield by 30-50%, brown leaf spot (Cercospora beticola) in sugar beets can reduce yield by 20-40%, and colorado potato beetle can reduce yield by 30-50%. Don't wait for pests to destroy everything you worked so hard for. Register in Agrivi now to make sure you have the right tool for the job when it comes to dealing with pests and diseases on time. TRY NOWfor free

Farming is a complex activity, one in which every segment impacts the crop production. In order to achieve a successful crop production, a farmer needs to manage all segments properly. Therefore, after soil preparation and planting are completed, there is no time for a break. Farmers who want to achieve high yield and quality crops must practice crop maintenance regularly throughout the growing season.  Crop maintenance practices which are necessary for proper crop growth are as follows: Weeding Soil cultivation Irrigation Mowing Insect pest and disease control Removal of standing water Pruning   Each of the aforementioned practices needs to be done in a timely manner. However, the right time for performing crop maintenance practices will depend on crop growth stage, soil, crop, and weather conditions. “Farming is a complex activity in which every segment impacts the crop production.”   Weeding Removes Potential Crop Threats Weeding is a farm practice that involves the physical removal of weeds from the field. This practice can be performed manually or with the use of mechanization. Although manual weeding is more labor intensive, it is still a preferred farm practice. The main reason for that is because it makes minimal soil disturbance and decreases the opportunity for soil erosion. Oppositely to manual weeding, mechanized weeding is less labor intensive. However, it’s important to manage it carefully in order to prevent soil disturbance and spreading of weed seeds.   Soil Cultivation Improves Soil Performance Soil cultivation is a farm management practice that breaks up and loosens the soil surface. The main purpose of soil cultivation is to create optimal soil structure, which will improve water retention, allow better penetration of air, water, and nutrients, and help with weed control. Soil cultivation is a favorable soil maintenance practice because it helps retain water and provides optimal soil structure and favorable crop conditions. That way, soil cultivation reduces the need for additional irrigation.    Irrigation for Secure Plant Growth Irrigation is a crop maintenance practice which is essential in order to provide normal crop growth, particularly when the water supply is limited. In other words, every farmer who wants to maximize plant potential should set an irrigation system. Irrigation is especially important when the crop is in a sensitive growth phase such as germination, flowering, and fruit setting.  Depending on the crop type and climate, different irrigation methods are used: Drip irrigation Furrow irrigation Sprinkler irrigation Pivot irrigation Flood irrigation “Every farmer who wants to maximize plant potential should set an irrigation system.”   Mowing Enhances Orchard Management Mowing is a regular farm maintenance practice in orchards and vineyards. It includes mowing of the space between and inside the rows. Mowing includes manual or mechanical removal of grass and invasive weeds. It improves soil condition, reduces pest occurrence and enhances crop growth.   Insect Pest and Disease Management for Safe Yield If not treated properly and on-time, plant pests can significantly reduce crop yield and affect its quality. Therefore, regular crop maintenance needs to include insect pest and disease control. Crop losses can be reduced by using various organic and chemical crop protection measures such as: Natural; natural pest predators (ladybug, praying mantis) Cultural; weather tracking, monitoring fields, and crops Physical; disinfection of the soil, seed, and seedlings Mechanical; pruning and removing of diseased plants from the field/orchard Biological; various beneficial fungi, bacteria, and parasitic wasps as pest predators Chemical; chemical based fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides     Removal of Standing Water Removal of standing water is a crop maintenance practice mainly used in grain production.  However, it can also be practiced in the production of arable and vegetable crops. The practice includes the removal of standing water from the field that accumulated during the winter period as a result of melting snow. Excessive water creates depressions on the field surface and harms young plants. If crops stay in the water for more than 3 days, the entire crop production can be destroyed. Standing water can be removed by using soil cultivators to level the field’s surface and plows to create furrows around the field’s edges.   Successful farmers practice crop maintenance regularly throughout the season. They are aware that only regular and proper crop maintenance can provide quality crops and stable yields. As every human being needs regular maintenance of the body to maintain optimal health, the plant needs regular maintenance of all factors crucial for its proper development and growth as well. TRY NOWfor free     Image sources: GriggsDakota

Loamy, or sandy, red or brown soil is one of the most important resources for man. Although it can vary in texture, color, and property type, soil represents the foundation for global crop production. The factor that makes it so vital for crop production is its composition. So, what is hidden inside of it? The soil is alive. It is home to a great number of living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, algae, mites, worms, ants, maggots, and other microscopic insects and animals. These are all important for the creation of humus, the main part of soil organic matter. “Soil requires special care in order to provide high and quality yields.“   Soil Management Practices Because soil is a primary resource for crop production and the most important resource that farmers can hold, it requires special care and management practices. We all know that the essential elements for plant growth are soil, water, sunlight, and preferable temperatures. But these elements are not always sufficient for achieving high yields in crop production. Specific management practices, which provide healthy and fertile soil, must also be developed and implemented with special care. These practices include: Proper soil tillage Balanced fertilization management Sufficient water, whether from rainfall or irrigation systems Proper protection management against various insect pests, weeds, and diseases   Since each crop has its own growth requirements, its total yield performance depends on a number of factors, such as its given growth media, weather conditions, and the individual farmer's knowledge of crop production. In aiming to achieve his planned yield, the farmer must have a good understanding of soil requirements and related farming practices. “Knowing “when“ and “how“ in soil preparation is crucial for achieving planned yield.“    Soil management practices differ from farm operations and crop growth stages. The first step in growing crops includes a set of activities for soil preparation. These field activities that will benefit soil management are: Undermining or mole drainage—where standing water and soil porosity problems occur Plowing—classified as very shallow, shallow, or pre-sowing plowing; this will depend on crop type, previously grown crops, and the time of sowing Disking Harrowing Rolling   “Successful farmers know that only healthy soil is the base for high yields.“   Consequences of Poor Soil Management Soil is a non-renewable natural resource, which means that it cannot be regenerated during a lifespan. Therefore, care should be taken to preserve and sustain the soil in order to provide proper media for plant growth. Improper soil management practices and heavy tillage can lead to soil erosion, which can further lead to: Loss of topsoil Reduced crop productivity Pollution of watercourses, wetlands, and lakes     Healthy Soil—the Key to Sustainable Farming Proper soil management practices ensure soil's health and also prevent the aforementioned pollution.  It also reduces input costs and enhances yield and crop quality. Let's not break the connection between man and nature. Preserve our soils to ensure valuable food sourced for future generations.

With the crops being constantly exposed to unfavorable weather conditions, crop production is a challenging business. Weather and climate are extremely important factors for farmer's success. They both determine the pace of crop production. Still, during times when the global food security strongly depends on crop production, there is no place for any limitations. Therefore, the search for solutions resulted in farm management practices that involve farming in a controlled environment. One of the most basic variations of farming in a controlled environment is a greenhouse farm management.   Simple Sheltered Structures that Protect the Yield Greenhouse farming is a unique farm practice of growing crops within sheltered structures covered by a transparent, or partially transparent, material. This type of farm management provides favorable growing conditions and protects crops from unfavorable weather and various pests. There are various types of greenhouses which differ depending on the shape of the structure, lifespan, cover material, size, and farm management technology. “Greenhouse farming is a unique farm practice of growing crops within sheltered structures.“ Few types of greenhouse structures, commonly used among the farmers include: Glasshouses; structures covered with glass Shade houses; covered with a woven or other material with gaps that allow sunlight, air, and moisture to pass Screen houses; covered with screening material that provides protection from pests and severe weather conditions, mostly practiced in hot or tropical areas Crop top structures; structures without walls, covered only with a roof     Choosing the right type of greenhouse structure will determine other aspects of greenhouse farm management, such as: The amount of sunlight The amount of natural ventilation The size of the farm Heating requirements Condensation run-off Efficiency of materials Costs   The Best of Greenhouse Farming The most powerful advantage of greenhouse farming is that it optimizes growing conditions and protects the crops from extreme weather events. That way, greenhouses enable efficient farm management and reduce risks caused by unfavorable weather conditions. Additionally, some types of greenhouse farming structures (greenhouses with managed heating) prolong the growing season or even allow farmers to grow the crops outside of the typical season. Greenhouses that are additionally equipped offer the possibility to take complete control of growing conditions that lead to faster growth and higher yields. “During times when the global #food #security depends on crop production, there is no place for any limitations.“   Are There Any Disadvantages? Greenhouse farming is more appropriate on a smaller surface. For this reason, it's limited to the production of vegetables, flowers, herbs, and small fruits, such as strawberries. Another disadvantage of greenhouse farming is the lack of pollination due to the enclosed structure. In addition to the aforementioned disadvantages, greenhouse farming is often criticized for being an expensive farm practice. However, the costs of greenhouse construction and maintenance depend exclusively on the type of greenhouse structure and farm management technology being used.   When everything is taken into consideration, greenhouses are definitely a promising farm management solution. Farmers who grow their crops in greenhouses have a special privilege to protect their crops from unfavorable weather and secure the yield. That way, farmers can face climate change and continue their noble job—feeding the world.     Text sources: NSW Government    Image sources: Purdue || mcclendonsselectblog || TekSupply || Antimos insect screen

While aiming to produce enough food and remain sustainable, agriculture is facing significant changes. In the new agricultural era, farmers are able to use various high-tech sensing devices based on GPS, variable rate application, steering systems and remote sensing, as well as farm management software. The introduction and the use of modern and precise farm technologies brings revolutionary changes into farming. In other words, modern farm technology revolutionizes the way in which farmers work.   By using precise technology, farmers are able to optimize both farm productivity and profitability based on real-time field information thus protecting the environment, which can be a turning point to success. “Drones can monitor any type of crop during its growing season, in any area.”   What Are Drones? Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly named drones, are small aerial platforms weighing up to 20 kg (50 lbs). Due to their size, they cannot be boarded by a human body (yet). Drones can be operated in two ways; directly, in which a human has complete control of the vehicle by wireless remote; and autonomously, in which the vehicle is able to control itself and follow a route based on the data from GPS or other sensors.     There are many different kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles and can be categorized into the following groups: Fixed wing; very simple vehicle to control. It has some form of a non-movable wing and a propeller that facilitates forward movement. Due to its construction, it must always be moving relative to the air around it to stay aloft. Hence, it’s operation can be greatly affected by the wind. Another limiting factor is that larger drones require some kind of runway area that can be used for deployment and retrieval, while smaller ones can be hand launched and retrieved by landing on a soft surface.   Rotary wing; the most common drone type. It looks like a small helicopter since it has multiple rotors (typically 4-8). Due to its rotary system, the drone has the ability to hover and can be vertically deployed and retrieved. The rotary wing vehicle has some advantages over the other types. It is small and easily transportable and less liable to mechanical failure. The main disadvantages, though, are its limitation in cargo it can carry, as well as its battery life, which is limited to allow only 15 minutes or less of flight.     Tethered vehicle is a common drone tethered to a wire to eliminate the need for a remote controller. Drone movement is therefore confined according to the tether. Moreover, tethered drones have many different variations. They can range from a standard drone moved according to the tether to a drone tethered with a microfilament wire with an installed power system for unlimited flight.   Lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicles include blimps and other typical helium-filled crafts tethered to some kind of wire. Their main disadvantages are the difficulty in transporting because of their size, and the fact that they cannot tolerate even moderate wind speeds. Therefore, LTA drones are used less in farming.     Crop Data Delivered from the Air with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Drones are small and light aerial vehicles which may fly at extremely high altitudes and carry various navigation systems or recording devices such as RGB cameras, infrared cameras, and other sensors. Due to their ability to deploy various sensors and capture high-resolution and low-cost images of crop conditions, drones are very useful in farming.  Initially used for chemical spraying, today drones are a great tool for capturing aerial imagery with platform mounted cameras and sensors. Images can range from simple visible-light photographs to multi-spectral imagery that can be used to assess different aspects of plant health, weeds, and assets.   Drones collect raw data and translate it with algorithms into useful information. Therefore, they can be used for various applications in farming, such as the monitoring of the following parameters: Crop health; damage made by pests, color change due to pest infection Vegetation indices; leaf area, anomaly detection, treatment efficacy, phenology, yield Plant height; plant height and density Plant scouting; plant size, plot statistics, stand number, compromised plots, planter skips Water needs; water-stressed parts of the field/orchard in need of watering Soil analysis; nutrient availability for plant nutrient management   To summarize, drones help farmers optimize the use of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, water, and pesticides more efficiently. This allows timely protection of crops from pests, saves time for crop scouting, reduces overall cost in farm production, and secures high yield and quality crops. “Drones help farmers optimize the use of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, water, and pesticides more efficiently.”   From Raw Data to Useful Information Flying over the field, the drone takes high-resolution pictures with a camera or sensor. Based on a measured parameter, these images are captured in different bands from visible (color), near-infrared to infrared spectrum. The collected images are raw data which requires further interpretation. Immediately after capturing the image, the images are directly sent to the cloud/software where different prescription maps are created depending on the operation the farmer wants to perform on the field. The maps can then be uploaded to the specific farm equipment which will adjust the number of inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides) that would need to be applied to the field accordingly. “Drones capture images of crop conditions and create Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) maps.” In the era of precision farming, drones are acting as an essential technology that will take farming to a completely new level. They are a cost-effective way to collect data about various crop conditions in a relatively short period of time. Drones have also shown great potential in the ability to provide sustainable farming, improve yield, and increase overall farm profitability.  Technology in farming is constantly evolving. Collecting accurate and reliable georeferenced data based on GPS coordinates and automated steering systems, along with the use of remote sensing (drones), is an essential part of precision farming which can optimize both farm productivity and profitability. Although there are some risks and limitations, precision farming and related technology have great potential in dealing with the challenges of a modern farm production and at the same time protecting natural resources.       Text sources: UKY || GRDC || Tethered Drones   Image sources: Unmanned Aerial Online || Kapshop || sourceable.net || Unmanned Aerial Online

Successful farm production starts with healthy soil. The soil is one of the most important farm assets. It provides crops a valuable reservoir of water and nutrients. Each type of soil has its own properties that cannot be changed, such as texture. However, farmers can always improve soil quality by managing the level of nutrients and soil pH. One of the most important factors in managing soil quality is regular soil analysis. Soil analysis is a valuable farm practice that determines the exact amount of available crop nutrients in the soil, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, as well as determining soil pH, humus content, available lime, and organic matter. It also provides a visible snapshot of various chemical, physical, and biological soil properties.   Why Is Soil Analysis So Important? Soil analysis gives valuable information, essential for soil quality improvement. By tracking the exact amount of soil nutrients, a farmer can easily adjust fertilization in accordance with soil and crop requirements. Additionally, soil analysis facilitates crop nutrient management by revealing the current soil pH level.  Soil pH is important due to its influence on the uptake of soil nutrients. The main purpose of managing soil pH is to be able to adjust the acidity to the point where there are no toxic metals exposed to the crops, as well as to ensure that nutrient availability is at its maximum. “By tracking the exact amount of soil nutrients, a farmer can easily adjust fertilization in accordance with soil and crop requirements.” Every crop has its own optimal pH range. Because of this, some crops grow better and can achieve their full potential in acid, while for others, this takes place in a more alkaline-based soil. The optimal HHpH levels for the most common crops are shown in the table below.   When Is the Best Time for Soil Analysis? A quality and balanced soil is a crucial factor for achieving higher yields. Therefore, farmers should collect soil samples frequently in order to detect any changes that could affect crop yield. It’s recommended to perform a soil analysis every 3-4 years. However, it would be ideal to practice soil analysis as often as possible, especially when growing annual crops in a crop rotation. In that case, it is recommended to take soil analysis after every third crop in the rotation. Other important aspects to consider are the best time of the year to take an analysis, as well as the amount of time that should be allocated to do so. For example, soil sampling for annual crops should be taken after the harvest. In doing so, a farmer is left with plenty of time to plan fertilization management. On the other hand, the best time for a soil analysis of perennial crops is during the dormancy stage. In the end, how often will a farmer analyze his soil, will depend entirely on him; whether he is ready to invest in soil quality and a higher yield or not. “It’s recommended to practice soil analysis as often as possible.”   What Happens After the Soil Analysis? Depending on the results of the soil analysis, a farmer can easily manage soil requirements for a certain crop. The results will indicate him in case that he needs to add lime in order to manage soil acidity. Liming rates are usually determined by taking into account soil type, depth of tillage, and limestone quality. The following table shows the lime rates according to the measured soil pH and its structure.   Fertilizing crops without knowing their requirements and available soil nutrients is equivalent to driving a car while blindfolded.  Therefore, soil analysis is the only way to ensure proper soil management and increase a chance for higher yield.     Text sources: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture   Image sources: FAO || Lael's Moon Garden 

Weather is an inevitable factor in every crop production. Knowing real-time weather conditions like temperature, precipitation, and humidity is the best way to protect crops from the harmful impact of adverse weather events as well as pests. In fact, accurate monitoring of weather data can greatly affect crop yield and overall farm productivity and profitability. Weather monitoring is an important activity in farm management, especially prior to sowing, harvesting or some other activity crucial for successful crop establishment and yield. Since the beginning of agriculture, farmers have monitored weather conditions in order to prevent seed and later, yield losses. Initially, weather monitoring was very primitive, based on weather patterns on a particular location. Today, farmers have plenty of sources to obtain accurate weather forecasts, such as TV, internet, and various mobile applications. Nevertheless, farmers increasingly set their own weather stations in the field. “Weather monitoring is an essential component for achieving high and quality yields.”   What Makes a Modern Weather Station? Modern agriculture offers diverse systems for precise monitoring of weather conditions. Farmers are therefore able to use the most sophisticated weather monitoring equipment. Such modern systems can measure both soil and environmental parameters related to evapotranspiration, plant growth, and development as well as irrigation schedule and insect pest and disease modeling. A weather station consists of multiple sensors which provide data about air temperature, wind speed and direction (at 6 m), rainfall, snow depth, relative humidity, and solar radiation. It can also be integrated with other sensors to provide information about soil temperature, moisture, and available water. Though sensors can be networked in hardwired or wireless systems. There are various weather station types but they all have additional common parts. They are as follows: Anemometer; measures wind speed Wind vane; measures wind direction; it can be placed on standard heights of 6 and 10 m Satellite and GPS antenna Pyranometer; measures solar radiation or photosynthetically active radiation Temperature sensor; an electronic sensor or manual thermometer usually hidden from the sun in a wooden or plastic Stevenson screen Electronic capacitive sensor; measures relative humidity; the sensor is placed along with a temperature sensor Solar panel; powers and automates the weather station Rain gauge; measures rainfall amount; it accumulates the rain in a glass or a plastic measuring cylinder Batteries Data logger –a small module that connects the weather station to a computer or network and archives or shares real-time data (readings refreshed every few seconds).   “In order to give accurate weather data, a weather station is often made of various components.”   Data logging is the measuring and recording of physical or electrical parameters over a period of time. Devices that measure and log data, called data loggers, come in different shapes and sizes. Data loggers are available in various shapes, sizes, and work range. The range covers both simple and low-cost single and sampling channel loggers, as well as more powerful multi-channel and integrating devices capable of handling hundreds of inputs at once.   Where to Place a Weather Station? Despite the possibility of measuring various weather parameters, the placement of a weather station is also an important factor. A weather station needs to be placed on a level ground in a grassed area, away from buildings. Hence, in farm production of many different crop types, a weather station should not be placed near a particular crop so that it could measure weather conditions over the entire field block as far as possible. Not only does this practice avoid sensor damage during crop management activities but also it ensures real-time data of different crop types and canopies over a large area. Weather station placed too close to one crop will not provide accurate weather data for other crops on the measured area.   “A farmer who grows many different crops should make sure not to install a weather station near a particular crop.”   Automatic Weather Station Besides weather stations for amateur use for farmers, there are also automatic stations for professional measurement of weather conditions. They are often used in meteorology or in areas where the commercial power or communication networks are limited or non-existent. These stations provide all weather data on which experts can create an individual or collective decision about crops, disease models, potential evapotranspiration, and irrigation management models. The automatic weather station is helpful with the forecast and agrometeorological services in a way that it implements smart farming methods and optimizes farm production. Farm technology is constantly improving by becoming more sophisticated and digital. Based on data-driven decisions, farmers are able to enhance their crop production and make farming more efficient and easier than ever. Modern equipment for accurate weather monitoring is only one step away from achieving that goal and providing sustainable farming.     Text sources: Campbell Scientific || Page Bloomer || Cimel   Image sources: The Elkhorn Slough || Cimel || WWG || Pessl Instruments || Weather-forecast || NI || Computer Aided Solutions

Agrivi farm management software is a powerful cloud-based solution available as a web and mobile application, intended to help farmers manage all their farm activities and resources easily, without messy paperwork. We designed a new, one of a kind business model for partner companies called Agrivi Partner Program, with a goal to create mutually beneficial relationships that increase overall success. It is a unique and innovative business model, intended for selected partner companies that already have an existing farmer network (like various agri input distributors), and wish to expand their product portfolio. Partner Program allows our future partners to become an official reseller of top-quality Agtech product—Agrivi farm management software by obtaining the software packed in specially designed Agrivi Boxes and offering it as an additional product alongside their current range of products. “Agrivi farm management software is a cloud solution, intended to help farmers manage all their farm activities and resources.“   Agricultural Software in a Box When we were thinking of a way how to design our Partner Program, we knew that we wanted to expand and position Agrivi locally through partners and distributors that work with a network of farmers every day. The only way to reach a bigger number of farmers was by packing our software in boxes and placing it on the shelves of the store of their local input supplier. This model fits easily into the existing business model of our partners, and it is a way for them to maximize their profits by offering innovative farm management solutions to their clients. When a farmer opens up the Box, there are three key things he will find inside: 1. Activation code To activate his desired product plan, a farmer just needs to follow a few easy steps. Very simple instructions are placed inside the Box, providing a detailed description of the activation process, so the farmer can easily access his account. By entering the activation code in the boxes shown at the screen, a farmer activates his product plan   2. Success story The Box contains a short success story from a farmer or a company that is using Agrivi on a daily basis describing how Agrivi has helped them in their business. 3. Farmers' handbook The most successful farmer's handbook written by our CEO, describing what characteristics farmers need to have in order to be successful, and why measuring key performance indicators is crucial for achieving high yields and a profitable farm business. “Our unique rewarding partner commission model offers long-term profits through recurring revenues.“ Agrivi Boxes are divided into three types: Starter, Professional, and Premium. Each Box contains a different set of features, divided according to the product plans that we are offering.  Agrivi Box types and their related features   Farmers Love Tangible Things Farmers like to get their hands on something, rather than purchasing it online. That's why the cloud-based FMS was made in the form of Agrivi Boxes, that allows farmers to get a physical product into their hands, buy it directly from the shelf of their store or from a sales representative, and use it on any device they have. The simple ordering of the boxes fits perfectly in the agri distributor's existing business model. Our partner invests in a number of boxes at a great discount and then distributes them to farmers at the nominal price. This unique rewarding partner commission model offers high long-term profits through recurring revenues.   Agrivi Box is the perfect reselling opportunity for resellers of agricultural inputs. If you recognize yourself in this story, and you want to maximize your profits by offering innovative farm management solutions to your clients, contact our Sales team. Contact UsNOW

Water is the source of life. This precious resource covers more than two-thirds of our planet. Still, the amount of fresh water is limited and constantly threatened by human activities and climate change. According to the UN, fresh and readily accessible water which is found in rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands, and aquifers, makes up only 2.5% of all water on the planet.   In order to address key water challenges and raise awareness on the importance of water, each year on March 22nd, we celebrate World Water Day. This year, the special focus is on nature-based solutions as a response to key water challenges we face in the 21st century. Therefore, the official theme of the World Water Day 2018  is “Nature for Water”.     Key Water Challenges We depend on fresh water in every aspect of our life. We use fresh water for drinking, sanitation, recreation, farming, energy production, and industry. Since the global population constantly grows, the demand for fresh water will also increase. By 2050, it’s predicted that the demand for fresh water could be 30% higher. “Fresh water makes up only 2.5% of all water on the planet.”   Besides the increasing demand for fresh water, key water challenges we face in the 21st century include: Water scarcity and pollution which cause reduced access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services Water-related natural disasters (such as floods and droughts) Climate change which causes the movement of salt water into fresh water aquifers Water-borne diseases (i.e. diarrhea, one of the main cause of mortality) Increased food and energy production which significantly increases water withdrawal     Nature: The Answer to Water Challenges Humans are not the only living beings who depend on water. Fresh water is an essential component of natural ecosystems as well. In order to preserve the planet for future generations and protect natural ecosystems, World Water Day highlights nature-based solutions to overcome water challenges. These include: Planting trees and new forests Reconnecting rivers to floodplains Restoring grasslands and natural wetlands Creating buffers of vegetation along watercourses Practicing sustainable use of water in agriculture and industry       How Sustainable Farmers Face Water Challenges? Generally, agriculture represents the main consumer of fresh water, accounting for 70% of total water withdrawals. At the same time, irrigation is an essential component for ensuring productive crop production. Besides in high water withdrawal, agriculture also plays a major role in water pollution. Unsustainable farm practices such as the extensive and inappropriate use of pesticides and fertilizers may lead to water contamination.   As a response to the aforementioned problems, farmers should consider nature-based solutions and sustainable farm practices, such as: Use water more efficiently and practice irrigation only when it’s needed Collect rainfall water for irrigation Reduce water pollution by practicing the use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers more wisely   No one can afford to be careless with water, particularly farmers. After all, water provides life to plants, humans, and the entire planet.       Text sources: United Nations || World Water Day || UN   Image sources: Kempton Express

  We have all heard the saying “Forests are the lungs of the earth”. Still, as we are too occupied with our everyday lives and obligations, we often underestimate their true value. For this reason, on March 21st we celebrate International Day of Forests. Proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations, International Day of Forests celebrates and raises awareness about the importance of forests. This year’s theme of the International Day of Forests is “Forests and Sustainable Cities”. The theme addresses the miraculous role of every tree planted in an urban area and encourages the organization of various events dedicated to celebrating forests and planting trees.   Forests—True Protectors of Our Planet Without trees and forests, life on earth would be impossible. The key value of trees is their ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce oxygen via the process of photosynthesis. That way, forests represent a natural defense mechanism against climate change. “Without trees and forests, life on earth would be impossible.” Besides providing the air we breathe, forests are also valuable ecosystems that provide the habitat for 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. Not only do forests provide shelter for humans, livestock, and crops, they also protect water by reducing surface run-off. Trees also represent a natural barrier which protects the soil from erosion. In other words, forests are true protectors of our planet.   More Trees for Sustainable Cities and Planet Due to increased urbanization, by 2050 it’s expected that 70% of the global population will live in urban areas. Generally, all urban areas have many problems with pollution and increased greenhouse effects. At this point, every planted tree increases a chance for improving life quality and achieving sustainable cities. How is this possible? Well, trees protect the cities by cooling the air, removing harmful pollutants, and mitigating climate change. When planted between industrial and residential areas, trees are a valuable shield for citizens. At the same time, trees improve overall life quality in the cities and encourage active and healthy lifestyle. “Trees protect the cities by cooling the air, removing harmful pollutants, and mitigating climate change.”   Why Plant More Trees on Farms? Agriculture is known as one of the main drivers of deforestation. Unfortunately, there are still many farmers who will continue to clear the forests in order to get more arable land. But, let’s take a look at the bright side. There are also many successful farmers who have recognized the main benefits of planting trees on farms. The main reasons why successful farmers plant trees on farms are because trees can: Protect their crops and livestock during warm months Attract valuable pollinators and birds Improve soil and water management   Instead of clearing the forests, many farmers plant trees on farms and manage their production in a sustainable way so we should all look up to them.   So, plant a tree and don’t forget to take some time and admire forests. At the end of the day, they are the guardians of our cities, farms, and planet. Happy International Day of Forests.   Text sources: FAO || World Wide Fund For Nature   Image sources: Wikipedia