EZ Ag Innovations Inc. (EZ-AI) announced today that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with the University of Florida Research Foundation to develop and commercialize AI-powered smart spray technologies that facilitate the detection and identification of pests in specialty crops and the application of the correct pesticide only where needed. Previous proof-of-concept studies conducted at the University of Florida have demonstrated significant reductions in pesticide inputs with no reduction in overall pest control. EZ-AI will continue on-going collaborative research trials with the University of Florida as well as industry partners and plans to enter the marketplace in 2024.

The patented technology is designed to help fruit and vegetable farmers manage pests more efficiently on their farms. The integration of artificial intelligence with spray technology will allow the detection and classification of crop canopies, weeds, and other pests with the intent to apply pesticides only where pests occur as well as map pest incidence in agricultural fields. Adoption of the technology will benefit farmers in many ways such as lower input costs, reduced risk of crop damage, reduced pesticide loads in the environment, and lower labor and fuel costs. The research team at EZ-AI believe that this technology will strengthen the economic viability of specialty crop farms across the USA which will help ensure the continued availability of domestically grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

Investigators at the University of Florida include Dr. Arnold Schumann, Soil Scientist and precision agriculture expert and Dr. Nathan S Boyd, Weed Scientist and Associate Center Director of the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Drs. Schumann and Boyd have worked together for several years and recently formed a partnership with Martyn Ballestero, who has an extensive business background, to form EZ-AI. “Results from extensive field trials have proven that our technology can effectively manage pests with significantly fewer pesticides without any loss in control levels achieved,” stated Dr. Boyd. Dr. Schumann noted that previous variable-rate equipment developed in his laboratory had a one-to-two-year return on investment (ROI) depending on the acreage covered and similar ROI’s were expected for the EZ-AI technologies”.

This agreement demonstrates our on-going commitment to build advanced agricultural technology that helps farmers to remain economically viable and optimize their production practices. Our goal is to help farmers continue to supply the American market with healthy, delicious, and fresh fruits and vegetables.


About EZ Ag Innovations Inc.

EZ-AI is a science-based agricultural technology company specializing in the development of novel AI-powered equipment that enables farmers to grow crops with fewer inputs. For more information, please visit https://www.ezaginnovations.com.