Koppert’s Digital Assistant has won the international GreenTech Concept Award at the RAI in Amsterdam. The cutting-edge digital tool that will provide growers with 24/7 access to instant answers for crop protection challenges – was awarded first prize for its digital innovation. The Concept Award recognizes innovations with untapped market potential, primed for successful introduction within two years.
The Digital Assistant embodies a revolutionary leap forward for growers, providing personalized and context-rich support for unique IPM challenges by incorporating vital data from the grower’s own crop management system (such as climate, pest prevalence, chemical and biological interventions, and other factors) and Koppert’s expansive knowledge of Integrated Pest Management and agricultural practices.
Advancing sustainable agriculture
Accepting the GreenTech Concept Award on behalf of Koppert, Data Scientist in the Koppert Digital Transformation team, Thomas Verschoor, said the Digital Assistant will move Koppert fully into the digital era when it comes to its advisory services. He thanked the Digital Transformation team and everyone involved for their dedication to the project started in 2023. The tool is being developed in collaboration with growers who give direct feedback from the field.
Koppert’s Digital Transformation Manager, Gabriël van der Kruijk: ‘Koppert believes in pushing the boundaries of innovation and leading the digital transformation in Integrated Pest Management, underscoring our commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture through cutting-edge technology. The digital assistant combines more than 55 years of unique Koppert knowledge with the context of the grower’s situation.’
Designed for the modern grower, Koppert’s Digital Assistant will be accessible via both text and speech on mobile and desktop devices, ensuring convenience of use, regardless of the user’s location and preferred communication method.
‘We plan to introduce the first version for use in the second half of 2024. From then it will be regularly expanded with more capabilities,’ Gabriël van der Kruijk adds. ‘We are bringing our demo to trade shows throughout 2024 to solicit feedback from the public. Currently visitors to GreenTech can experience the prototype firsthand at our booth in hall 5, stand 118. In addition, we are conducting validation testing with our consultants and a select group of customers. The goal is to learn from their experience, so that we can continue to improve our digital solutions.’
