University of Groningen leads €2 million project developing autonomous systems for sustainable agriculture in the Netherlands

The University of Groningen, in collaboration with Wageningen University & Research, TNO, University of Applied Sciences Saxion, Hanze University of Applied Sciences and industry partners, has secured a €2 million grant from the NWO NXTGEN Hightech programme. This funding will support FARMLAB, a groundbreaking project that builds on the success of earlier initiatives, to further advance precision agriculture through fully autonomous aerial and ground robotics. This contributes to more sustainable agriculture.

The technologies will first be tested at Akkerbouwbedrijf Luth in Weddermarke and at the greenhouse facilities of Batenburg Beenen, with the goal of scaling them up across the Netherlands in near future initiatives.

Key technologies for regenerative agriculture

Dutch agriculture faces major challenges: labour shortages, climate change, and the need for more sustainable practices. Real-time monitoring of topsoil, surface water, and plants is critical for regenerative agriculture and the technological development thereof is a key priority in the agriculture innovation agenda of Northern Netherlands.

In FARMLAB, autonomous drones and ground robots work collaboratively to gather real-time field data and to deliver accurate and timely interventions using aerial manipulator arms and precision spraying systems. These low-cost technologies will enable farmers to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices. Large-scale data analysis enabled by the upcoming AI factory in Groningen will allow policymakers and scientists to monitor, understand, and forecast food production, disease emergence and spread, greenhouse gas emissions, and the health status of agricultural plots.

Working together on societal impact

FARMLAB is led by Saeed Ahmed and Bayu Jayawardhana from the University of Groningen, in partnership with Wageningen University & Research, TNO, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, and industry partners Green Dino, SMI Dokkum, Batenburg Beenen, DEMCON industrial systems, and ABdrone. This partnership aligns with the university’s mission as a fifth-generation university, where science, education, and societal impact go hand in hand.

About the National Growth Fund Programme NXTGEN Hightech

The National Growth Fund programme NXTGEN Hightech develops a new generation of high-tech equipment focused on sustainability, digitalisation, health and technology sovereignty. This will strengthen the Netherlands' earning capacity and address societal challenges.  The recent call allows eight consortia to get started on their research projects.

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