Instacrops to showcase AI technology for water conservation and crop enhancement at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.
Image Credits:shaunl / Getty Images
The Water Crisis in Agriculture
Agriculture plays a critical role in global food production but comes with substantial water consumption, accounting for approximately 70% of all fresh water used worldwide. In regions like India and Chile, this figure exceeds 90%. This escalating water demand poses a significant challenge, particularly for farmers like Mario Bustamante, a Chilean entrepreneur who emphasizes the urgency of the situation: “Lack of water is a big issue here,” he stated.
Leveraging AI to Address Water Scarcity
Mario Bustamante is on a mission to combat water scarcity in the agricultural sector using artificial intelligence. His startup, Instacrops, initially focused on deploying Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor frost conditions that could harm crops. However, as the technology became more widely available, the company shifted its focus to software solutions aimed at optimizing water usage.
By employing AI algorithms, Instacrops assists 260 farms in significantly reducing their water consumption by up to 30% while simultaneously enhancing crop yields by as much as 20%. This transformational shift enables farmers to conserve water effectively while maximizing their productivity.
The Shift from Hardware to Software
The transition from hardware-centric solutions to AI-driven software has allowed Instacrops to operate more efficiently. “We are processing approximately 15 million data points per hour,” Bustamante revealed. “Almost 10 years ago, that would have been the total for an entire year.” This dramatic increase in data processing capacity means the company can operate with fewer employees while simultaneously providing greater insights and value to farmers.
Smart Irrigation Insights
Instacrops utilizes advanced data analytics to guide farmers on optimal irrigation practices. The startup’s platform can either install new IoT sensors or connect to existing irrigation networks to gather crucial data. By analyzing over 80 different parameters—including soil moisture, humidity, temperature, pressure, crop yield, and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index)—Instacrops provides targeted advisories that help farmers decide when and where to irrigate.
These insights are pushed directly to the farmers’ mobile phones. While Instacrops offers its own chatbot app, it’s also integrated with WhatsApp, a widely used messaging platform. Bustamante believes that moving towards a fully WhatsApp-centric model could enhance accessibility for many farmers.
Advanced Features for Technological Adaptation
Instacrops has capabilities to directly control irrigation systems, particularly in farms that are more technologically advanced. This direct intervention enables more precise water management, ensuring that crops receive the exact amount of water they need without waste.
The focus of Instacrops is on high-value crops in Latin America, such as apples, avocados, blueberries, almonds, and cherries. Farmers pay an annual fee per hectare to access the startup’s valuable irrigation insights, making it an attractive investment for those looking to enhance productivity while conserving water.
A Startup with Strong Backing
Instacrops is a graduate of the Y Combinator summer 2021 batch, a well-known startup accelerator. The startup has also secured funding from notable investors like SVG Ventures and Genesis Ventures, which bolsters its growth and development potential.
Join Us at TechCrunch Disrupt
For those interested in learning more about Instacrops and other promising startups, don’t miss the opportunity to attend TechCrunch Disrupt, happening from October 27 to 29 in San Francisco. The event will showcase innovative solutions aimed at solving pressing global challenges, including water scarcity in agriculture.
In summary, Mario Bustamante and Instacrops are at the forefront of using AI to revolutionize agricultural water management. Their innovative approaches not only aim to alleviate the strain on water resources but also empower farmers with actionable insights for maximizing their yields. Through such initiatives, the agricultural industry can work towards a sustainable future.
Thanks for reading. Please let us know your thoughts and ideas in the comment section.
Source link
#Instacrops #demo #watersaving #cropboosting #TechCrunch #Disrupt
About The Author
