Jan 12, 2024Edete’s pollination services boost pistachio crop by 19% in California
Israeli agri-tech startup Edete Precision Technologies for Agriculture, a precision pollination service provider, has achieved an average increase of 19% in pistachio crops in California during 2023. Edete’s Precision Pollination as a Service (PPaS) provides a solution in agricultural risk management.
PPaS in action
Edete’s PPaS addresses critical challenges faced by farmers, including flower synchronization, climate change adaptation and the scarcity of natural pollinators, leading to substantial increases in crop yields. This service caters to both young and mature pistachio orchards, offering a comprehensive solution to boost productivity.
In a significant project, Edete conducted precision pollination on 500 acres of pistachios in Bakersfield, California, for one of the largest growers in the U.S. The pollination occurred during the flowering seasons of April 2022 and April 2023, encompassing three young plots of the Golden Hills variety, planted in 2016 and 2017, yet to reach commercial production.
Mechanical pollination
Edete employed its proprietary 2Be mechanical pollinator, designed to disperse pure pollen with precision, in controlled and highly accurate quantities on trees. With a daily capacity of 150 acres, the 2Be played a pivotal role in augmenting natural pistachio pollination, in challenging weather conditions.
Results
The results of Edete’s PPaS were compelling, with a 19% average increase in crop yield observed in two out of three plots pollinated. This achievement is noteworthy, especially considering the high accumulation of chill hours in 2023, positioning it as a record-breaking year for U.S. crop production, estimated at 1.5 billion pounds. This success marks the second consecutive year of demonstrated yield growth in the same plots.
Financial impacts
The financial impact for pistachio growers is substantial, with an estimated additional contribution of $1,000-$1,300 per acre at a 19% increase in crop, based on a predicted average crop of 3,000-3,800 pounds per acre at an average price of $1.8/pound in 2023.
In 2021, Edete achieved an average yield growth of 24% in an 82-acre area in the northern Sacramento region. This success was demonstrated across three plots of varying ages: 6 years, 15 years, and 24 years.
“The increase in yield for the third consecutive year in 2023 underscores the effectiveness of precision pollination in overcoming natural pollination deficiencies. This not only ensures optimal yields, even in record crop years, but also contributes to agricultural resilience and food security for consumers. I am delighted to see early adopters of Edete’s PPaS continuing to engage with our services in 2024, emphasizing the lasting impact on profitability for farmers,” Eylam Ran, CEO for Edete, said.
Founded in 2016, Edete operates from offices in Paso Robles, California, providing precision pollination services to pistachio and almond growers. The company’s technology includes a pollen bank that stores pollen for over five years and an autonomous pollinator dispersing pure viable pollen with an electrostatic charge. For more information, visit edetepta.com.
