In the heart of the Dutch village of Nagele, brothers Marien and Joos Poppe are revolutionizing their organic farming practices with cutting-edge technology. Their farm, Poppe Landbouw, has been at the forefront of sustainable agriculture since 2003, when their father transitioned the farm to organic production. Today, Marien and Joos continue this legacy, integrating innovative weed control methods that are not only sustainable but also economically viable.
This year, the onions at Poppe Landbouw emerged exceptionally early, prompting the brothers to deploy the Electro Weeder from Andela Techniek & Innovatie for the first between-row weed control. This early intervention is part of their participation in the National Field Lab for Precision Agriculture (NPPL) project, aimed at increasing knowledge and collecting data on advanced farming techniques.
The Poppe brothers have been collaborating with Andela Techniek & Innovatie for several years, gaining extensive experience with the Robot Weeder ARW-912 and the Electro Weeder AEW-180. The Robot Weeder, an autonomous machine equipped with AI and electric rods, identifies and eliminates weeds in the row with precision. Marien Poppe highlights the significant labour cost savings achieved with this technology, estimating a reduction of approximately 20,000 hours annually, translating to around €250,000 in savings. The initial investment of €800,000 for the Robot Weeder is expected to be recouped within three years, making it a financially sound decision.
The Electro Weeder, on the other hand, operates with a closed electrical circuit, delivering a current that heats and kills weeds between the rows. This method is particularly effective in controlling persistent weeds like thistles and grasses, which tend to return less frequently after treatment. Poppe plans to use this machine later in the season for carrots and chicory, further expanding its application on the farm.
One of the key advantages of these innovative weeders is their ability to start weed control earlier in the season. The Robot Weeder can detect and remove tiny weeds that are often overlooked by manual labour, giving the crops a head start. The Electro Weeder, meanwhile, skims the soil without disturbing it, avoiding the creation of a new seedbed and reducing the need for multiple passes.
However, the Electro Weeder does have its limitations. It cannot be used in moist conditions, as electricity and water do not mix. Additionally, if the weeds are too woody or if a weed leaf is touching a crop plant, the current can damage the crop. Despite these drawbacks, the overall benefits of reduced labour costs and improved weed control make these technologies a valuable addition to the farm’s toolkit.
The Poppe brothers are eager to share their positive experiences with other farmers, emphasizing the potential of these technologies to address labour shortages and improve sustainability. Johan Booij, a precision agriculture researcher at Wageningen University & Research and NPPL expert, is collaborating with Poppe to collect more data on weed control using these innovative methods. This collaboration aims to provide more farmers with the knowledge and tools needed to adopt similar practices, furthering the advancement of precision agriculture in the Netherlands.