Satellite technology boosts mango growers efficiency and productivity

A three year mango satellite trial is winding up this harvest after using heat mapping to predict the best time to pick, find out more.

IMAGES from space are helping the Territory farmers plan their harvests, from predicting the equipment needed to the number of labour required to pick and pack.

The three-year trial has studied images of mango trees at different stages of growth to help estimate whether farmers are in for a productive season.

The information was also used by growers to make decisions around logistics, including labour, equipment, packing, storage and transport, as well as product sales.

Five commercial growers across seven Top End orchards were involved.

Lead researcher Dr Muhammed Sohail Mazhar, NT Farmers industry development manager Greg owens and Agribusiness and Aquaculture Minister Nicole Manison. Picture: Floss Adams.

Agribusiness and Aquaculture Minister Nicole Manison said the Territory produces over $110m worth of mangoes annually.

“Which flows back into the Territory economy with more local jobs and a big boost for our regional development,” Ms Manison said.

“We produce around half of Australia’s [mango] crop, which is why it’s so important to support projects like this that help our farmers do what they do best.”

The data from the research was presented at the 2021 Developing the North Conference, hosted in Darwin and the Australian Mango Industry Association’s August roadshow.

The researchers will now carry out further analysis of the information at the end of the harvest, with the data to be published by the project teams and distributed to growers.