Bayer will market its Digital Farming solutions under the brand xarvio™. It will launch the brand at Agritechnica, the leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, on November 12.

According to the company, xarvio solutions help farmers to optimize the potential of their individual fields and field zones: The  Field Manager uses imaging and sensor technology from e.g. satellites to provide farmers instantly with the most efficient crop protection strategy. Farmers receive field specific crop protection timing and can download field-zone specific variable application maps. This should optimize the application of agricultural inputs so that the perfect amount is used exactly when and where it is needed.

The xarvio SCOUTING App detects and identifies crop diseases, insects, the nitrogen status, and other leave damages. The farmer has to take a picture to get the analysis. Farmers also profit from the data gathered by their neighbors as they see which diseases are emerging.

Currently, Bayer provides digital solutions in more than 60 countries and is aiming to achieve rapid further expansion. According to the company, the new technologies have huge potential not only in countries such as Canada, the United States, Brazil, Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia but also for smallholder farmers in developing countries.

The exchange of data between farmers and technology providers like Bayer is of great importance. Farmers should be informed and agree to how the data they share is used and accessed. Especially the collection, use and storage of data must be clear and transparent.

• Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany