What is iPalm?
iPalm is a digital platform that integrates key palm tree health data with readings from remote sensors, monitoring key biotic factors. It provides a comprehensive report on all processes and events taking place in the date palm grove, which may has impact on the health of the date palm and its productivity.
The iPalm Technology
The AI (artificial intelligence) protocols utilised in iPalm can identify trends in the behaviour of Red Palm Weevil (RPW) and predict its preferred route to infecting the next tree. This will enable calibrating pheromone trap usage and hygiene procedures and deciding on the best treatment protocols depending on infestation data. Such information will be of immense value in developing the next generation local or national RPW management strategies. Treatment progress reports will also be available, in order to adjust treatment options and scale. Similar analysis can be conducted to forecast the behaviour of other key pests.
Targeted Red Palm Weevil Management
Using acoustic detection equipment, iPalm software logs detailed records of pest manifestations in palm groves. It keeps track of all applied treatments, their timing and outcome. This information can provide the basis of management strategies to address any emerging pest hot spots. All data will be permanently recorded in The Cloud and made available remotely at any time to the farm owner and his technical advisors.
The Stakes
Date Palm production is a key economical activity in MENA countries, (Middle East and North Africa) affecting the life of millions of merchants, farmers and farm workers. The sector is still largely relying on manual efforts in most operations. Information technology is a novelty, used in a fragmented and isolated manner. Russell IoT wants to change that with the introduction of its groundbreaking iPalm technology.
Our Team
i-Palm is the synergistic outcome of the combined efforts of Russell IPM Ltd (with thirty years of experience in Integrated Pest Management in agriculture) and the skills of a team of experts with over 10 years’ individual experience in electronic engineering, communication engineering and computer sciences. This multi-disciplinary team from both commercial and academic backgrounds is committed to delivering something innovative and unique in its approach to pest management and results for farmers.
Our Goal
Our goal is to harness expert skills and knowledge to empower the palm harvesting sector. Once channelled into a modern cloud-based platform, the data gathered by iPalm can be utilised to monitor and protect palm trees by preventing RPW infestations. iPalm can not only preserve the numbers of this holy for the Arabs tree, but also improve its fruit bearing. Embracing new technologies in the name of saving the Date palm is a growing trend in the MENA countries, as a large number of trees are lost to oil drilling, pests and disease each year.
Our Vision
I-Palm is a scalable platform, to which further features can be added, for integration with mobile phone applications or IoT-based devises. It is available for collaboration with Universities and research institutes to progress relevant research in the various aspects of Date palm health and productivity.