KUBOTA CONFIRMS NEW PARTNERSHIP

Kubota Corporation and French start-up technology firm UV Boosting have announced a partnership to jointly promote innovation with sustainable solutions for the viticulture industry. 

UV Boosting has developed a patented solution for stimulating a plant’s natural defences, through the use of UV-C light flashes. The company says this allows growers to reduce their reliance on fungicides and minimise damage caused by pathogens and other abiotic stresses such as spring frost or drought. UV Boosting’s UV-C light flash technology is crop agnostic and the existing implement portfolio can be extended into other crops.

Kubota say they plan to tackle global challenges, such as environmental regulations, climate impacts, and labour shortages, by expanding community-focused operations and offering "integrated solutions and technological advancements for customers".

Daria Batukhtina, strategic business development manager at Kubota Innovation Center Europe, said; “Increasing regulatory restrictions and environmental concerns are enabling a need for alternatives to minimise chemical inputs in speciality crops. This pilot program with several growers and dealers is a part of Kubota’s strategy to create an eco-system which allows innovation to evolve, through partnerships with external businesses such as AgTech start-ups, agricultural producers, research institutes and universities.”

The pilot program is taking place in Brescia, Italy, and Anjou, France. The participating dealers will manage and support UV Boosting’s technology, and collate customer feedback. 

According to experts, UV light solutions secure the yield for organic, biodynamic or conventional wine growers. Growers will apply four to seven treatments during the season to evaluate the technology impact on yield results, in addition to the overall effectiveness on tree health.