DiP-ZAZIkI – Precision Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Sugar Beet Production

Sugar beet cultivation in the Central German mining area is facing major challenges: drought, weather extremes and increasing sustainability requirements. DiP-ZAZIkI develops innovative solutions that combine state-of-the-art AI technology, drone and satellite monitoring, and on-farm research.

With the support of farmers, scientists are testing sustainable cultivation methods such as climate-resilient soil cultivation (Steifenbodenbearbeitung) or sowing catch crops by drone on trial fields in the region. In addition to sustainability, the focus is also on the profitability of sugar beet cultivation and the transfer of knowledge to regional farmers. Satellite and drone images are evaluated with AI-supported analysis tools in order to derive concrete recommendations for action for farmers. In addition, a digital carbon footprint tool is being developed that calculates the sustainability of production and facilitates certifications.

The project brings together science, business and agriculture, strengthens regional sugar production and creates new digital services for the agricultural sector. By focusing on practical relevance and technology transfer, DiP-ZAZIkI makes an important contribution to the transformation of agriculture into a climate-resilient, resource-saving future.

Saxony-Anhalt is thus becoming an innovation location for sustainable precision agriculture.