‘EVA uses vision-based AI to detect over 15 pests and diseases with 10 cm precision’

EVA empowers growers on the path to 100% green, using AI and agrobotics to boost yields, cut inputs, and build a smarter, more sustainable food system rooted in Dutch innovation.

Growers are at the heart of a rapidly evolving food system. But they cannot tackle today’s challenges alone. Building a sustainable future for agriculture requires collaboration across the entire ecosystem—growers, policymakers, researchers, and technology providers must work together to transform how we produce, process, and distribute food. The shift must move beyond maximizing output to creating resilient, data-driven, and ecologically sound systems.

The urgency is clear. The global food system is under immense pressure. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nearly 600 million people could face hunger by 2030 if current trends persist. In 2020, 3.2 billion people could not afford a healthy diet, and one-third of all food produced was wasted. Meanwhile, the global population is expected to surpass 9.7 billion by 2050, intensifying the demand for food from increasingly limited arable land due to climate change, urbanization, and resource depletion.

The Dutch model for Horticulture

The Netherlands is a global leader in sustainable innovation. Its horticultural model integrates climate control, water management, biological pest control, and smart technology to deliver high yields with minimal environmental impact. Dutch agriculture uses just 1.2% of the EU’s farmland to produce 6% of its food.

Organizations like the Federatie Vruchtgroente Organisaties (FVO) are driving this transformation. Through initiatives like the Green Growing Expertise Center, FVO unites growers, researchers, and policymakers to accelerate green cultivation. Projects such as 100% Groen Geteeld aim to prove that growing without synthetic inputs is both possible and profitable targeting a fully green, resilient system by 2026.

EVA: Platform for Ephemeralized Agrobotics

At Viscon Group, we see technology not as a standalone solution but as a catalyst for systemic change. That’s why we developed EVA: Ephemeralized Viscon Agrorobotics —a scalable, AI-powered platform designed to do more with less, supporting sustainable crop development through intelligent automation.

Currently focused on tomato crops, EVA uses vision-based AI to detect over 15 pests and diseases with 10 cm precision. Operating 22/7 under any lighting, it generates plant-level heatmaps that enable early, localized action—cutting chemical use by up to 70%, labor by 50%, and crop loss by 30%.

The detection engine behind EVA is powered by advanced AI models developed by our partner Fermata. These models are trained on extensive datasets from static camera systems that have demonstrated high accuracy in identifying pest and disease symptoms. By integrating these proven models into EVA’s mobile scouting platform, we’ve significantly enhanced detection precision and coverage—bringing real-time, autonomous insights directly to growers.

Developed in collaboration with forward-thinking growers like Bryte , EVA aligns with policy goals to reduce chemical inputs and improve food security. It combines grower expertise with cutting-edge AI, representing a new generation of agrobotics that is both visionary and practical.

And this is just the beginning. EVA’s roadmap includes expansion to other high-vine crops like peppers and strawberries. Future modules will support broader crop health monitoring and yield forecasting. EVA is modular, data-driven, and built to evolve with the sector.

Call for Collaboration

To truly transform the food system, we must move beyond isolated solutions. This is a call for collaboration across the value chain:

• Growers need tools and support to adopt sustainable practices.
• Policymakers must create frameworks that reward ecological responsibility.
• Technology providers should deliver accessible, scalable solutions grounded in real-world needs.

Together, we can build a food system that not only feeds the world but does so within planetary boundaries—protecting biodiversity and ensuring long-term food security.

Source: Towards 100 Green – How EVA is transforming sustainable agriculture | GreenTech

Date: 24th June 2025