13 March 2024: The Secretary of Agriculture of the Philippines, H.E. Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., accompanied by a delegation of experts, visited the ATB and gained an insight into the field work on digitalisation in fruit cultivation at the ATB research site Field Laboratory for Digital Agriculture in Marquardt.

A few weeks earlier, a delegation from the Philippines visited ATB and showed great interest in research topics relating to digitalisation in horticulture. There is a desire to exchange ideas and work together on digitalisation in horticultural projects in the future. Today, Manuela Zude-Sasse, Head of the Precision Horticulture Working Group, and Alice Hohn, Administrative Director, welcomed the group around the Minister of Agriculture for further discussions. At our ATB site in Marquardt, Manuela Zude-Sasse presented the Technology Garden with its various plant sensors.

The scientist demonstrated the circular conveyor, which supports the modelling of spatial temperature distribution during increasing heat waves. In the CrackSense project, one of the researchers' aims is to use such sensor data to better understand the cracking of fruit. "The sensors also enable us to transfer fruit data directly to a mobile device and make it easily accessible for the farmer," explained Manuela Zude-Sasse.

The delegation was impressed by the research work presented and expressed great interest in further discussions and potential collaborations. "We are very pleased about the opportunity to discuss the challenges and adaptations of our technologies in the field of digitalisation in horticulture and plant cultivation," emphasised Barbara Sturm, Scientific Director at ATB. "Through collaborative exchange with international partners such as the Philippines, we can drive innovation and utilise potential to increase efficiency and sustainability and thus make agricultural processes ready for the future."