CropTop
A$100
of $6,000 targetyrs ago
Closed on 17th Feb 2012 at 12:00AM.
Pie in the Sky
The environmental impact of food production is crucial to sustainable development. It is through improvements in design, organisation and technology that waste may be reduced for a sustainable global society. The Earth's already limited arable land is shrinking. It is our imperative that we make the best use of the land we have.
This design is a step in that direction. It will produce greater crop yields while reducing costs and water and pesticide use. It will provide small farmers a levelling edge in competition with larger farms, meaning more and better product in local markets and more locally grown food in supermarkets.
"You can make a lot of speeches, but the real thing is when
you dig a hole, plant a tree, give it water, and make it survive."
Wangari Maathai (Nobel Peace Prize 2004)
The CropTop
The CropTop is a plastic film tunnel that protects crops. It is extended and withdrawn through stick-in-the-ground, pivoting guides and may be powered by a small, electric motor or by hand. It provides many if not all the benefits of a greenhouse but is more affordable, more versatile and easy to install and remove.
This is a design innovation in food production that will improve food quality, increase crop output, reduce the need for pesticides and assist in water conservation. It gives farmers unique control over the environment their crops grow in.
"gives farmers unique control over the environment"
Tried and True
Plant tunnels shelter crops from weather hazards, guard them from insects, improve the efficacy of pesticide spray and regulate temperature. For low tunnels in particular, trials have consistently shown the efficiency of food production is improved 120% (agric.wa.gov.au).
Head and Shoulders
The CropTop possesses the further unique benefits that it does not detract from the visual appeal of landscapes and allows easy visual and physical access to plants. This is provided by quick and effortless retraction of the shielding tunnel. A simple control device is used to extend and withdraw the shielding tunnel providing access for visual inspection and picking.
More importantly, this function allows farmers to carefully regulate the environment in which their crops grow. To expose crops to light showers before covering them as the rain begins to pour. To let in sunlight during the day, cover plants overnight to retain warmth and shield them from birds in the early morning. To reduce pesticide dispersal due to wind. Or control humidity, preventing disease and deterring pests This versatility is afforded without affecting the movement of vehicles along rows and without additional labour costs.
"versatility is afforded without affecting the movement of vehicles or labour costs"
The Plan
Pledges fund the development of a commercial version of the product that will be sold, installed and maintained in the region of South East Queensland with the intention of expanding the area of service. The period of development from prototype to commercial product is anticipated to be 2 months. At which point commercial trials will begin in order to assess plant behaviour (harvest-able yield, quality and environmental impact).
For a pledge of any amount you will receive Backer Only updates on the project development process keeping you up to date with time-frames, challenges and triumphs.
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 26
You will receive Backer Only updates as well as a shout out on the blog and Facebook.
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 26
In addition to a shout out and Backer Only updates you will receive infographics on anticipated and actual environmental outcomes; device blueprints and diagrams; high-quality photographs of the implemented design; and information as well as professionally produced depictions of planned future advancements in design.
1 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 26
In addition to a shout out and the enriched Backer Only updates described above you will have the choice to opt-in for a Backyard BundleKit. This is a small-scale version of the product suitable for home growing.
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 26
We will gratefully acknowledge you as a sponsor on our blog and Facebook as well as other media materials. You will receive the enriched Backer Only updates as well as the choice to opt-in for a trial installation covering up to 600 sq. metres on a farm in South-East Queensland with data collection and analysis and a quote for full implementation.
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 26
We will gratefully acknowledge you as a sponsor on our blog and Facebook as well as other media materials. You will receive the enriched Backer Only updates as well as the choice to opt-in for a trial installation covering up to 1200 sq. metres on a farm in South-East Queensland with data collection and analysis and a quote for full implementation.
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 26