POME is a multidisciplinary, four-year project that will enable a step-change in the way orchards are managed.
By utilising and developing a suite of cutting-edge technologies each tree in an orchard will be analysed in fine detail, allowing crop management inputs to be targeted in a way that has never been seen before in UK orchards. Production efficiency and yield will increase whilst minimising inputs, benefiting growers, consumers, and the wider environment.
Led by the crop advisory company Hutchinsons and involving many other commercial and academic partners, including Niab, the POME project is co-funded by Innovate UK, DEFRA and the commercial partners involved in the project.
Partners
The project is led by HL Hutchinsons Ltd, with the other partners including: engineers N. P. Seymour, GNSS and software developer The Acclaimed Software Company, marketing desk Avalon Fresh, aerial imaging and data analytics company Outfield, robotics developer Antobot, remote sensing specialists Fotenix, agri-economics from the University of Kent, robotics and automation expertise from Loughborough University, Niab, and the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD). There are several growers involved, including A.C. Hulme, and Plumford Farm.
Funders
Project duration
November 2023 to October 2027
Niab contact:
charles.whitfield [at] niab.com