What is claimed to be the world鈥檚 first听fully automated AI-powered insect mini-farm听has been announced in the UK.听听
Powered by AI – and insects –听Better听Origin,听a听Cambridge-based听start–up, has launched the听X1听farm to听convert local waste, such as听鈥�ugly鈥�听fruit and veg,听agricultural residues and industrial food waste, into high-quality animal feed听in the form of insect larvae听to improve welfare, productivity and yield.听听
The听X1 is听self-contained听and听uses AI together with patented engineering processes to replicate听the role insects play in the natural food cycle.听Its听app-based user interface means the farmer always knows exactly what is going on inside听the X1听at any given time.听
Fotis听Fotiadis, CEO and co-founder of Better Origin听explained that in nature insects convert waste into nutrients for animals and humans in a 鈥榥o-waste鈥� cycle, but this link is absent from the modern food chain.听听
鈥淯ntil now there was no accessible way for food producers to turn abundant feedstock or food waste, into useable food. We鈥檙e now delivering a vital solution to this global opportunity,鈥� he said.听听
鈥淥ur technology uses natural processes to fix the broken food system, restoring insects as the missing link in the modern food chain.听With farmers facing unprecedented needs to diversify and improve productivity, Better Origin technology provides a vital solution on farms.鈥�听
Fotiadis holds an MPhil in Sustainable Engineering from the University of Cambridge and an MEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sussex.
He is applying his experience in the Oil & Gas industry designing and managing large scale oil exploration projects, together with his passion for using technology and engineering practices to develop his vision for Better Origin.听听
鈥淲别鈥檝别听created the future of sustainable food production听that听will bring about a new harmony between nature and technology听鈥� and, by so doing,听transform听livestock productivity and welfare and, at the same time, reduce听carbon emissions and听ensure听global food security.鈥�听
Earlier this year, the听X1听completed a successful pilot project on听Wood Farm in Cambridgeshire and is now poised to collaborate with farmers to support happier, healthier hens on farms across the UK.听听
Charles听Mear, owner听of Wood Farm,听said:听鈥�We love听the ethos and concept of Better Origin, which听fits well with what we are trying to achieve here at Wood Farm,听producing a听carbon-neutral free-range egg.
“The health and wellbeing of my hens is of utmost importance to me.鈥�听
Better Origin听also has plans to听market听the X1听for听the salmon farming and pet foods sectors.听