Signing a deal for a 50:50 joint venture (JV), Bosch and BASF Digital Farming agree to globally market and sell smart farming solutions via a single source. This agreement was signed on November 10, 2020, which will be followed by a company founding in Cologne, to be established in the first quarter of 2021.

Subjected to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities, the foundation financial details are not disclosed by any of the parties yet.

Bringing JV significant capability in hardware and software, and digital services for planning and decision making, in field crops, Bosch shows proficiency. BASF Digital Farming, along with xarvio Digital Farming Solution, is providing an automated, real-time, field-specific agronomic decision-making engine for weed management, powered by the digital xarvio platform crop optimization. Providing farmers with field zone-specific advice, for producing most sustainable crops, it combines the expertise of both companies, with the state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions, making it easier, and more convenient for farmers in reaping benefits of digital solutions.

Andrew Allen, responsible for Commercial Vehicles and Off-Road Business at Robert Bosch GmbH said, “Thanks to connecting agricultural machinery using high-tech sensors, intelligent software and digital products, we can make tomorrow’s agriculture more efficient and at the same time more environmentally friendly.”

Vincent Gros, President of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division said, “Both companies are committed to invest time, resources and funding in joint activities that will lead to the development of new sustainable precision technologies that improve agricultural practices and outcomes.”

The first two product versions of the Intelligent Planting Solution (IPS) system are projected to enhance digital intelligence for seeding and fertilizer prescriptions and smart spraying. Combining Bosch’s Smart Spraying solution camera sensor technology and software with xarvio’s crop optimization platform, both the products are tested beforehand extensively in real-time growing conditions. These innovative precision farming practices enable resource efficiencies for supporting farmers and environment.

It also depends on the local conditions, which further might lead to the dependency on reduction of crop protection products in specific applications. In the experimental stage, Smart Spraying shows 70 percent herbicide volumes decrease in the experimental stage, and the solution is expected for launching with a limited number of machines in 2021.