High-flying, high-tech will be seen over Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 orchards this spring.

A partnership between the city and InDro Robotics will have drones and industrial robots patrolling 200 acres of apple, pear, and cherry trees to monitor and assess crop health and anticipate fruit yields.

害羞草研究所淭he agricultural industry is an integral part of our healthy food system and local economy,害羞草研究所� said Mayor Tom Dyas. 害羞草研究所淭his initiative is an example of how council害羞草研究所檚 priority to support agriculture is being advanced.害羞草研究所�

It is an economic sector that occupies more than 40 per cent of the city害羞草研究所檚 lands and essential part of Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 cultural identity, Dyas added.

The InDro Robotics airborne drones and ground roving robots will help farmers reach new levels of crop management, according to a media release from the city.

害羞草研究所淥ur cutting-edge system empowers farmers to harness the power of technology to revolutionize crop management,害羞草研究所� said Philip Reece, CEO and founder of InDro Robotics.

He said the robots and drones will inspect crops, providing near real-time data on plant health, infestations, soil moisture, and more.

害羞草研究所淭hanks to the visionary support of the City of Kelowna and funding from Agri-food Canada, we害羞草研究所檙e set to pilot this initiative over two years, starting with local farmers.害羞草研究所�

Farm locations selected for the project are being coordinated with the Regional District Central Okanagan.

The data collected is expected to help farmers increase yields, reduce overhead, improve resiliency to climate change, improve water use efficiencies, and assure competitiveness in the global market.

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