Spider mites in the greenhouse? Growers no longer need to rush in themselves; instead, they can deploy a drone equipped with a BioSpreader. This system, which somewhat resembles a firefighting helicopter, releases biological control agents directly where needed.
Hiljan de Leeuw and Bram Löbker are the young entrepreneurs behind this innovation. They are launching the product through Framtida Horticulture Innovations. Despite being a Dutch company, it has a Swedish name. Bram and Hiljan met at Zone.College in Zwolle, where they studied Cultivation & Technology. During their second year, they interned in Sweden. "We interned at a company with a variety of crops and became great friends there," Bram recalls.
In the middle of their final year, they decided to start their own business. Inspired by their successful internship in Sweden, they named their company Framtida, which means "future vision" in Swedish, as Bram explains.
© Framtida
Hiljan de Leeuw and Bram Löbker founded Framtida Horticulture Innovations together
Mechanization
The entrepreneurs focus on developing techniques to assist and support growers. "What we do is mechanize processes," Hiljan explains. "This differs from automation and doesn't mean we completely take over the grower's tasks."
Tomato Nursery Van den Belt approached Bram and Hiljan with a specific challenge: effectively spreading biological control agents in large tomato greenhouses. Traditionally, this process is time-consuming and labor-intensive. To address this, Framtida developed the BioSpreader, which can be mounted under a drone.
For the drone, the company utilizes existing technology. Hiljan notes, "We use drones from DJI because of their capabilities. It's crucial that they can lift equipment. While these drones are used globally, they haven't been applied in horticulture until now. We have created a horticultural application for these drones."
© Framtida
Through the tube at the bottom of the distribution unit, the biological control agents are precisely directed into the crop.
Test in tomato cultivation
A BioSpreader is attached beneath the drone, which flies above the crop and crop wire. This setup allows for the targeted deployment of biological control agents, either preventively or curatively, in specific areas, and enables quick coverage of larger sections with the necessary agents. Bram explains, "We've learned from experience that growers don't always want to apply pest control agents preventively across their entire area. With the BioSpreader, they can now apply biological agents preventively to vulnerable spots or curatively if needed."
The BioSpreader was tested for a year in tomato cultivation with their initial client, Van den Belt, where it successfully mechanized the deployment of biological spider mite control. "Not all biological control agents can be spread above the crop," Bram notes. "However, using predatory mites against spider mites worked perfectly."
The spreader leverages the drone's wind power for operation. Hiljan adds, "This eliminates the need for heavy electronics, allowing for longer flight durations." Dosing is achieved with various conduit sizes provided with the system. "Because the wind power is consistent, the spread material is evenly distributed."
© Framtida
The BioSpreader has been tested for a year in tomato cultivation for spider mite control.
Own production
Within Framtida, Bram serves as the commercial director, while Hiljan is the technical director. Hiljan constructs the systems himself using a 3D printer. "Our product needs to be lightweight for flight purposes, which is why we print the BioSpreader. This method results in a lighter product compared to using injection molding." Hiljan also personally creates the platforms that act as helicopter pads for the drones.
The entrepreneurs recommend that growers load the BioSpreader with a maximum of 300 to 400 grams of biological control agents at a time. "If spider mites are detected in a corner of the greenhouse, this is the ideal amount to quickly and effectively respond to the infestation."
© Framtida
The drone with BioSpreader flies through the greenhouse. Framtida also offers drone flying training.
Training
Before users start using the drone with BioSpreader in the greenhouse, they receive extensive training on flying in the greenhouse. During this training, users learn step-by-step how to use the BioSpreader safely and efficiently. The training begins in the barn, where training participants practice basic skills. Here they learn how to operate the drone, how to correctly mount the BioSpreader, and how to take off and land the drone with the platform.
After this first phase, the training continues in the greenhouse, where training participants practice flying under realistic conditions. "Through this structured approach, they are fully prepared to use the drone with BioSpreader independently and optimally after the training," says Hiljan.
Kom in de Kas
During Kom in de Kas, Framtida is present at their launching customer Van den Belt to demonstrate the BioSpreader. Meanwhile, the young entrepreneurs, who are now studying at HAS (Bram) and Saxion (Hiljan, mechatronics), are already looking ahead. "We have big ambitions." They note that being so young and already running a business during their studies is remarkable. "Almost no one we study with already has their own company."
© FramtidaHiljan and Bram can be found at Tomato Nursery Van den Belt during Kom in de Kas. They recently also presented their product during a tomato day organized by the grower for (former) colleagues.
For more information:
Framtida Horticulture Innovations
info@framtida.nl
www.framtida.nl