BENGALURU, 12 August 2025: Cropin, the world’s largest deployed AI platform for food and agriculture, has secured a €700,000 contract under EIT Food’s Impact Funding Framework to advance regenerative potato farming in Europe. The initiative, titled FIRST Potato — Field Intelligence for Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainability in Potato Farming — will promote large-scale adoption of climate-smart practices without compromising yield or quality.
The project is expected to deliver a 5% increase in yield, 15% reduction in pesticide use, 5% reduction in water consumption, and a 1.5% improvement in solid content, generating an estimated €410 per hectare in combined revenue gains and cost savings for growers and agri-food businesses.
FIRST Potato will integrate crop-specific intelligence with real-time field data from sensors, satellite imagery, weather stations, IoT devices, and proprietary predictive models to deliver hyper-local, plot-specific advisories. These data-driven insights will enable farmers to optimise irrigation, input usage, and residue management, enhancing soil health while reducing environmental impact.
Pilot deployments are planned in Denmark, with commercial trials to follow in partnership with two potato processors in Germany and the UK. Aarhus University, a global leader in sustainable agriculture research, will scientifically validate the platform’s outcomes.
Highlighting the need for measurable results in regenerative agriculture, Cropin Founder and CEO Krishna Kumar said: “Without robust digital systems, farmers face challenges in consistently applying regenerative principles. Our AI-powered decision support brings precision, accountability, and scale, ensuring these practices are both profitable and scientifically validated.”
Potato processors seek tubers with high solid content for premium products such as chips and fries. While regenerative practices support this goal, initial yield drops have been a concern. Cropin’s predictive tools aim to counter this challenge, enabling farmers to meet both quality and sustainability targets while restoring soil health.
With regenerative agriculture gaining momentum across Europe, Cropin is engaging in strategic commercial partnerships and pilot projects in the UK and the continent, with multiple collaborations expected before the close of the financial year.