BREAKING: Innovative Australian start-up Cropify is set to transform the lentil grading industry by deploying artificial intelligence to reduce grading time from 45 minutes to just 6 minutes. This groundbreaking technology was announced earlier today, marking a significant advancement in agriculture technology.
Farmers have long struggled with the tedious and time-consuming process of grading grains, which typically requires specialized training and meticulous attention to detail. Founded in 2019 by fifth-generation farmer Anna Falkiner and her husband Andrew Hannon, Cropify is part of a burgeoning agrifood tech sector in Australia, which attracts approximately $800 million in investments annually, according to AusTrade.
“Our AI-powered system aims to solve a long-standing challenge in the grain industry,” Falkiner stated. “By using machine-learning technology and hardware, we are eliminating reliance on temporary workers and ensuring consistent quality across all grading processes.”
Traditionally, graders inspect 200 grams from each grain parcel, assessing for damage, mold, insect infestations, and foreign seeds. The new Cropify Opal machine, resembling a printer, employs high-powered cameras to capture images of the grains, which are then processed in the cloud by AI software.
During testing, the AI system proved to be a stricter evaluator than human graders, raising concerns about its alignment with existing grading standards. “We wanted to ensure our product did not inadvertently alter the established grading system,” Falkiner explained. “Our goal is to benchmark ourselves against professional, full-time grain graders.”
After successfully launching with red lentils, Cropify plans to expand its technology to grade desi chickpeas early next year, followed by faba beans and sorghum. The company raised $2 million in venture capital funding in 2024 and is expected to initiate another capital-raising round soon.
This urgent development in AI technology not only promises to enhance efficiency in grain grading but also has the potential to reshape the future of agricultural practices globally. As Cropify continues to innovate, farmers can look forward to a future where grading is faster, more accurate, and less reliant on human labor.
Stay tuned for more updates as Cropify advances its technology and expands its operations. The implications for the agricultural industry are profound, signaling a shift towards greater efficiency and productivity.
