As mango season begins across Australia's Northern Territory, two growers are advancing automation in mango harvesting through the use of robotics and digital technology.
Daniel and Ryan Niceforo, who manage farms in Katherine, Mataranka, and Darwin, operate the region's largest mango enterprise and are the country's leading producers of the Calypso mango variety. The business, which began in 1998 under their father Nino, has evolved into a large-scale farming operation now managed by the brothers, who lease the land from him.
"We very much believe in technology and automation, and we've always embraced it," said Daniel Niceforo. "We're building on what Dad has done, and technology is just at that point now where we can really integrate it into our farming."
The brothers are working with Central Queensland University (CQU) and Freelance Robotics on developing a robotic mango harvester, which is nearing readiness for commercial use. The harvester mounts onto an unmanned vehicle and uses up to 12 robotic arms to detect and pick ripe mangoes.
"We started working with Professor Kerry Walsh from CQU when he was working on a camera system that went through the orchard counting flowers and fruit, and used GPS to put that on a map to help with forecasting and yield production," Daniel said. "And because he'd developed that camera system, he thought, if we can map it, then why can't we reach out and pick it? That's how Professor Walsh came up with the idea of the auto harvester."
The aim is to expand the harvester's use beyond mangoes to other crops requiring selective fruit picking.
Westpac's National General Manager of Regional & Agribusiness, Peta Ward, said: "Farming is often thought of as a labour-intensive industry, but what I see when I'm visiting our agribusiness customers is that many farmers are at the forefront of science and innovation. It's all about using the latest technology to increase productivity and improve outputs, and I never cease to be amazed by the innovation we see."
Alongside their automation work, the Niceforo brothers are also trialling two new mango varieties as part of their ongoing farm development program.
Source: NT News
