THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Press release…
First and Only Domestic Automatic Steering System “AgroTOD” Project Completed…
Agrotod, Türkiye’s first and domestic automatic steering system, received support within the scope of TÜBİTAK 1507 SME R&D Start-up Support Programme in 2021 and R&D studies have started. AgroTOD provides the opportunity to eliminate human errors in agriculture.
The problems the world is facing have made it inevitable to increase productivity in agriculture. While the rising world population causes high food consumption, production has become unable to meet this need. AgroTOD, Türkiye’s first and domestic automatic steering system, has opened the doors of easier and more precise agriculture to farmers. While the latest technology AgroTOD stands out as a smart system developed to eliminate human-induced errors, it saves labour and time, while at the same time preventing the loss of rows and allowing maximum efficiency.
Twelve percent less machine use and 20 per cent fertiliser savings…
Alaras Telecommunications General Manager and Mechanical Engineer Fatih Başoğlu underlined that the AgroTOD automatic steering system is the first and only domestic in Türkiye and said, “Our project was made entirely by Turkish engineers in the country. In 2021, we received support within the scope of TÜBİTAK 1507 SME R&D Start-up Support Programme and started R&D studies. As a result of about 2 years of R&D work, we produced prototype devices and carried out testing processes with Turkish farmers in different locations in the country. In this process, we have turned it into a user-friendly product by taking into account the demands of Turkish farmers. AgroTOD minimises land planning and routing errors and makes the use of nutrients the most efficient, while 12 percent less machine use and 20 percent fertiliser savings.”
Enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impact…
Giving detailed information about the system, Başoğlu explained, “AgroTOD, with the help of GPS and sensors, enables the tractor to move on a specific route or on a specific line with centimetre precision and enables sequential planting. Automatic steering systems enable tractors to steer themselves with a precision of 2.5 cm within a determined route, allowing farmers to work more effectively in the field. Autonomous tractors can move more precisely to implement precision farming techniques.”
“This enables better control to optimise the amount of water, fertiliser and pesticides used in the field. This increases productivity and reduces environmental impact,” Başoğlu added…
