G's Growers

Research solution 

G’s partnered with the Institute for Analytics and Data Science at Essex and through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) brought in leading AI, data science and data analytics expertise from Dr Ana Matrán-Fernández, Dr Spyros Samothrakis, and Dr David Clark. This KTP also provides G’s with access to experts at the University's Essex Plant Innovation Centre for insights into environmental factors and biological processes.

The KTP project aims to develop an intelligent simulator system to apply new techniques in data science to the challenge of predicting and managing variance in G’s key iceberg lettuce crop.

The machine learning-driven simulator will be used to model growing conditions and interventions, such as the application of pesticides, and predict which actions will produce the highest yield of uniform, saleable crops.

Business value

Thanks to the KTP, G’s is now a step closer towards building a data science team within the organisation. The new knowledge and capability gained through the project will be embedded within this new team.

The KTP will also help achieve more environmentally sustainable crop production. This will deliver a positive environmental impact for the UK’s soils, water, and biodiversity, and will support the nation’s regenerative agriculture strategy.

Improving G’s iceberg lettuce crop yields (and other crops as the technology is rolled out) through precision farming methods will not only increase national food security, it will also reduce the carbon footprint associated with both UK production and the importation of produce from Europe and further afield. 

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