New project to revolutionise potato farming
“In the future we will see engines flying over the countryside’s fields” says journalist Sébastian Prophète. The drones take photos of potato fields and will be linked to information supplied by satellite images.
The aim is to harvest at the ideal time and optimise production. According to professionals, the current 80,000 ha production area in Belgium will soon not be big enough. “In some areas like China and India, we have a strong growth of potatoes. They will also consume french fries” says Romain Cools, Secretary General of the professional association, Belgapom.
Producers and industrials will not be able to use the service, which they will have to pay for, until 2017.