On Abdel Rahman Abdel Karim’s farm in Egypt’s Nile Delta, robots have replaced human labor in the task of spraying chemicals onto strawberry plants with precision. These robots have become a crucial lifeline in battling agricultural pests, which annually cause significant losses globally.
AgriCan, an agritech startup founded by Salem Ghanam, focuses on developing innovative solutions to reduce pesticide use and enhance crop monitoring using robotics and smart technologies. The company’s shift from drones to ground-based robots equipped with AI and IoT systems has proven effective in diagnosing plant diseases and delivering targeted pesticide doses accurately.
However, the adoption of such advanced technologies faces challenges in regions like the Middle East and Africa due to limited financial resources among smallholder farmers and a lack of technological literacy. AgriCan has been offering free trial services to showcase the benefits of their technology, leading to improved crop quality and increased awareness among farmers.
Despite concerns about the cost and risks associated with robotic technology, AgriCan aims to revolutionize agricultural automation in Egypt and beyond. By deploying their technology on more farms and expanding to new markets, the company envisions driving economic growth, creating jobs, and building local expertise in the agriculture sector.
Apart from robotics, AgriCan has developed greenhouse spraying systems, plant disease detection devices, and data-monitoring tools to enhance agricultural practices. The company’s innovations have garnered recognition at international events and competitions, highlighting their commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture practices.
As AgriCan continues to evolve and introduce new technologies, the goal remains to optimize pest control and crop management while promoting environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity without compromising human labor.