Gourmet chooses iCrop to increase efficiency and reduce risk
Reliable crop records for a more efficient cultivation process.
Interview with Evert Bakker Cultivation supervisor, Gourmet
First published . Roles, figures and future plans reflect the original interview date.
The story at a glance
The challenge
The previous cultivation application was often unstable and data recording was cumbersome. Retailer requirements added administration.
Using iCrop
The cultivation team captures grower and crop-protection information centrally in iCrop.
What changed
Evert Bakker describes information being readily available, quicker responses to crop issues and simpler administration around spray plans.
From the interview of
Gourmet grows shallots, onions and garlic for the Dutch and German markets. At the time of this interview, the business covered approximately 800 hectares. Cultivation supervisor Evert Bakker explains the challenges before iCrop, the reasons for choosing the platform and the benefits experienced in daily work.
Innovation and efficiency are central to the business. Evert and his team guide growers and help safeguard the quality of cultivation and the final product, supplied mainly to retailers in the Netherlands and Germany.
A growing company with ambitions and obstacles
Before implementing iCrop, Gourmet used its own cultivation application, but it did not meet the team’s needs. “It was a bit of a patchwork solution and the system was often unstable. We found data logging to be laborious and frequently problematic,” Evert explains.
There were also challenges around compliance with laws and regulations, particularly in crop protection. Different retailers apply different standards, adding complexity and time-consuming administration.
“Without reliable digital support, tracking all these regulations and ensuring compliance was challenging. A mistake could lead to a recall and we wanted to minimise that risk as much as possible.”
The decisive choice for digital transformation
To improve its processes and reduce risk, Gourmet chose iCrop from AppsforAgri. “We looked at several options and iCrop best suited our needs. The system is flexible and reliable, allows us to capture data centrally, and is specifically designed for the agricultural sector,” Evert explains.
Alongside reliability, the user-friendly interface and customisable modules were decisive. “Being able to customise the platform to our specific needs provides the flexibility required for our operations, making it a seamless fit for our business.”
A smooth implementation with customised support
According to Evert, the implementation of iCrop went smoothly, thanks in part to the guidance from AppsforAgri. “The AppsforAgri team stood by us throughout the process. That made it easy for us to make the switch and quickly use the benefits of iCrop.”
When the interview was published, Gourmet had completed one full season with iCrop. The next step was to integrate it further into the operation and give growers access to their observations and data in the system.
Greater efficiency and closer collaboration with growers
Since implementing iCrop, Gourmet had noticed improvements in daily work. Crop-protection and grower data were readily available, enabling Evert to respond more quickly to challenges and provide more accurate advice on the timing of spraying activities. Administration around spray plans and compliance had also been streamlined.
The link between SmartFarm, used by the grower, and iCrop allows growers and advisers to share up-to-date information. It helps Evert understand the field situation and time his advice accordingly.
“For example, the integration with SmartFarm’s weather data enables us to apply crop protection at the optimal time, helping to save both time and resources.”
Looking ahead: new modules and connected data
At the time of the interview, Gourmet was looking at automatic sprayer registration and further links to other systems as future extensions.
“We eventually want to centralise all data flows and manage all activities from a single platform. The flexibility offered by iCrop makes this a reality,” says Evert. The aim was to improve efficiency further and reduce the risk of errors.
A recommendation for other agricultural businesses
Evert would recommend iCrop to crop-processing and agricultural businesses, particularly for its efficiency and compliance benefits.
“Thanks to iCrop, we have a reliable system for data collection and regulatory compliance. This allows us to better manage risks and work more efficiently. Moreover, the system is user-friendly and reliable, something that is essential in this sector.”
With iCrop, Gourmet is building a foundation for the increasing demands for efficiency and sustainability in agriculture.
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