Research is ongoing to increase the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the European potato sector, with a focus on developing regenerative management systems that can reduce the use of fungicides for blight control.
The European Commission's European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Food Innovation Agency has allocated £700,000 (US$895,000) in support funding to UK-based agritech company Cropin. The work will use real-time field data, computer models, and predictive analytics to secure objective data points for verifying the effects of regenerative methods without compromising potato crop yield or quality, including the dry matter content required by processors.
The project, called 'FIRST Potato, Field Intelligence for Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainability in Potato Farming', aims to promote regenerative practices across Europe. It involves a consortium of food processors, research institutions, and sustainability groups to accelerate the transition from conventional to regenerative farming.
Krishna Kumar, CEO and founder of Cropin, said: "As regenerative agriculture gains momentum, the absence of verifiable, measurable outcomes poses a real challenge to meaningful, scalable impact. Without robust digital systems, farmers struggle to consistently uphold regenerative principles. Through AI, data intelligence, and real-time decision-support, we are bridging this critical gap, bringing precision, accountability, and scale to regenerative agriculture."
The platform will integrate data from sensors, satellite imagery, weather stations, and internet-connected devices to deliver plot-specific daily advisories to growers, tailored to soil profiles and microclimatic conditions. The technology is intended to optimise irrigation, input use, and residue management to support optimal yield, reduced inputs, and consistent quality for processors of crisps and chips.
Regenerative crop management practices are expected to meet processor demands, although evidence shows yields can decline in the early years of transition. The AI system is designed to assist farmers in maintaining productivity during this period.
Scientific validation of the platform will begin on farms in Denmark in partnership with Aarhus University. The first commercial pilot will involve a UK potato processor, with a second planned in Germany.
"This deployment will deliver collective benefits," Kumar said. "Growers enhance their profitability, brands meet their sustainability targets, and regenerative practices benefit the planet: it's a win-win for the entire agri-food ecosystem."
Source: Agriland
