Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to provide information about the Challenge. It includes details
of what the Challenge is about and some ideas to get you started. Preparing an entry will
involve learning about some of the challenges facing society and also about how science
and technology can help to address these.
Also included are details of how to enter, judging criteria to show what the judges are
looking for, and some tips on how to prepare a good entry.
The Importance of Agriculture
Agriculture is crucial in every part of the world; without it, we would not have food on our
plates, biofuels or natural fibres for clothing.
However, the world’s population is growing and producing enough food to feed everyone,
while protecting the environment, is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity.
Scientists and engineers have a major role to play in meeting this challenge and today’s
students are crucial to the development of future solutions.
Syngenta has developed The Good Growth Plan to work together
with partners to try and address these challenges: to produce more
food with less waste, to increase biodiversity with less degradation,
and to improve the lives of farmers. And we need your help!
By taking part in this challenge, you will get experience in developing real-life
applications of technology as well as developing the skills and innovative thinking
that are relevant to a range of engineering and science careers.
The Challenges and some ideas to get you started…
Your Challenge is to design an innovation that uses digital technology to address one of
the themes of The Good Growth Plan
1. Make crops more efficient
To feed its growing population, the world will have to grow
more food in the next 50 years than it has produced in the past
10,000. To be sustainable, the huge increase in production
must be achieved while using resources more efficiently. The
challenge will be even greater if climate change continues to
disrupt temperature and weather patterns.
Possible starting point: Irrigation
Managing water is an important component of
growing crops. One low tech example to measure
water depth in rice fields is to use wide vertical pipes
called pani pipes. Could this be improved with digital
technology? Could a system be developed that could
measure the water level in the pipe? What outputs
could a system control to ensure the plant gets the
right amount of water to allow it to grow well?
http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/training/factsheets/water-management/saving-water-alternatewetting-drying-awd
High tech inspiration
Orchard protection
The Semios is a sensor for orchards that detects soil
moisture, leaf wetness and the presence of pests to
predict threats to crops. Data is processed and
outputs can include informing the farmer of
conditions, controlling irrigation or releasing
pheromones to disrupt the mating of pests. The
system is also linked to weather monitoring and can
provide advanced warning to changing conditions
that will need action from farmers.
http://semios.com/
2. Rescue more farmland
Every second, the world loses an area of farmland the size of
a football field to soil erosion, desertification and urban
expansion. Poor farming practices expose soil to wind and
rain erosion, leaving millions of hectares infertile each year.
An area large enough to feed Europe is too depleted to
produce food.
Possible starting point: Soil
Soil is incredibly important, without it we couldn’t grow
the food we need to live. But it’s at risk from many
different threats; wind, rain and flooding can cause soil
to be lost (eroded) and if soil is compacted, rainwater will
flow over the surface, taking soil particles with it. It will
also mean that plant roots will not be able to move down
through the soil and the crops will be stunted.
Could something be developed that can help the farmer
understand the condition of their soil?
High tech inspiration
Robotic monitoring of soil conditions
Robots find it difficult to move over farmland if they
have wheels or legs, but this robot designed like a
hamster ball could solve that problem.
This robot was developed by the Technical University
of Madrid and enables the soil conditions to be
monitored and can report back, telling the farmer, for
example, if more fertiliser is required.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23030082
3. Help biodiversity flourish
The sustainability of agriculture depends on biodiversity.
More than a third of the world’s agricultural crops depend
on pollination, but pollinator populations have been falling
in many countries. Changing agricultural practices have
altered rural landscapes and natural habitats. Expanding
the use of land for crops can reduce forests, meadows and
hedgerows that provide food and shelter for flora and fauna
that make a sustainable agricultural landscape.
Possible starting point: Biodiversity Monitoring
Biodiversity is critical to a healthy farm. Beneficial
insects are needed for pollination and to help
manage pests. Motion–triggered cameras have
been used to detect large wildlife, but could
something be developed to detect smaller
biodiversity? Perhaps using sensors and imaging
equipment? You would need to think about the type
of animal you are trying to detect, how and when it
moves and whether a record is needed or a response required.
High tech inspiration
Tracking Honey Bees
The Global Initiative for Honey Bee Health (GIHH) and
Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Research Organisation (CSIRO) are using Internet of
Things technology to capture and analyse data
produced by honey bees. The aim is to identify the
cause of the decline in honey bee numbers.
A micro senor kit is placed inside the hive and tiny Radio Frequency Identification (RFI)
tags are placed on the bees’ backs to help scientists understand movement and the bees’
responses to stresses.
https://iq.intel.com/tiny-technology-helps-save-the-honey-bees/
4. Empower smallholders
Over 2.5 billion people depend on agriculture for their
livelihoods. Smallholder farmers are critical to the world’s
food security, but they often face high financial risks with
low returns. Every day, 180,000 people leave rural
communities to live in cities. Ensuring that farming is an
attractive occupation will help to create vibrant, productive
rural communities.
Possible starting point: Crop Storage
A successful harvest is not the end of the story,
smallholder farmers can lose some of their crops or
the quality of their produce could be affected due to
poor storage conditions. Food can be damaged and
wasted during storage and transportation as high
humidity and temperatures can spoil crops. Is there
a way to measure the conditions in the store and
alter them to prevent spoilage?
High tech inspiration
Supporting Smallholders in Kenya
The Haller Farmers App, is a new application for smallholders in
Kenya. The app contains basic information and sustainable
agriculture techniques for smallholder farmers. It offers training
opportunities and local trader advertising as well as providing a
platform to empower farmers to buy and sell the goods they
produce.
http://haller.org.uk/haller-app/
5. Help people stay safe
Agriculture is the world’s second largest source of
employment, often involving long hours and heavy work
in challenging climates and harsh conditions. We have a
responsibility to help improve occupational safety and
health in agriculture.
6. Look after every worker
We recognise a responsibility to ensure our supply chain
meets internationally acceptable standards. If the
agricultural sector does not offer fair and attractive
conditions for its workers, population drift from rural
communities to cities will steadily undermine efforts to
increase agricultural production.
Possible starting point: Farm Safety
Like many places of work, a farm can be a
dangerous place. Could an innovation be developed
that can help keep people safe on the farm – either
the people working there, their families or other
visitors? It could be, for example, something that
manages the movement of traffic in the farm yard,
such as automatic gate closers or warnings when
gates are not closed properly.
http://www.nfuonline.com/business/farm-safety/farm-safety-partnership/
High tech inspiration
Nozzle technology
The design of advanced nozzles for spray application
has enabled crop protection products to be applied more
accurately and safely. Adjustments to the nozzle can
result in different angles, speed and droplet sizes so that
more of the product goes onto the crop and less of the
spray is able to drift into non-target areas. 3D printers
are used to quickly produce prototypes for testing.
http://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/syngenta-3d-nozzle-targetsweeds-and-tackles-drift.htm
A plant as a machine
Another source of inspiration is to think of a plant like a machine. It takes in inputs (light,
nutrients, water, CO2) carries out a process (photosynthesis) and produces outputs
(carbohydrates for growth and oxygen).
As well as altering the inputs, there are other factors that can help (or hinder) a plant’s
growth:
There are physical things we can do to improve growing conditions: for example growing
them in a greenhouse or using a windbreak. But sometimes steps need to be more
responsive; so instead of a set feature, inputs need to be monitored and controlled.
Digital systems can detect all of the factors in the illustration above. For example, a light
sensor can measure the intensity of light and how many hours a day light lands on the
plant. A system can then be used to control an output such as switching on additional
lighting.
A system could also be used to test conditions, such as soil drainage or the presence of
particular nutrients.
The Technology
It is up to your team to decide the best technology for your project. It could be a pocket
sized computer such as a Raspberry Pi, Arduino or a BBC Micro:bit; alternatively a PC,
Mac or an app might be used. Whatever technology you end up using, it is important you
can apply an ‘input – process – output’ approach.
An Input - Process - Output Example
We know that plants need water; however, if there is too much water they may become
waterlogged and die. A system could be designed to detect when the soil is drying out
and then supply more water. The input would be the moisture of the soil, the process
would detect the level of moisture and, if it’s too low, to signal an output, such as turning
on a water supply. This is represented in the diagram below; the arrows represent the flow
of information.
Moisture detector
Input
Control circuit
Process
Water supply
Output
Other examples of the ‘Input-Process-Output’ approach are shown below:
Input

Data entered by the user.

Information from a sensor – e.g. rainfall, temperature, GPS location.

Could be information from other devices.

Information from a database (online or offline).
Processing

Taking input(s) and converting into a format for output.

Combining inputs from multiple sources.
Output

Action – e.g. turn on a light, play a sound, turn on a tap, drive a motor.

Display a message.

Send an email.

Post to social media.
There’s no reason why a system should only have single inputs and outputs. For
example, the vents on a greenhouse might need to be closed if the temperature falls or if it
gets too windy.
The Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged by a panel of experts drawn from the spheres of agricultural
science, digital technology and education.
The judges will consider both the written submission and the video when judging and each
of the criteria will have equal weighting:
1. The project should be based on a need that is relevant to The Good Growth Plan. It
should address one or more of the areas of productivity, biodiversity, soils and safety.
(20 marks)
2. The project should demonstrate originality and creativity in the development of a
solution. (20 marks)


How has the project developed from its inception to the finished product?
How is the invention better than current solutions on the market?
3. The solution should be developed in a logical way, including the selection of hardware,
use of software, role of programming and testing of the product. (20 marks)


Are there well thought out reasons behind the technology you have chosen for
the project?
How is the technology chosen better/more appropriate than other tech
available?
4. Both the process and the outcome should be clearly and thoroughly evaluated. (20
marks)


How effectively does the solution address the problem?
Have you considered how easily the solution could be used on a real farm?
5. Key features of both the process and the outcome should be clearly and effectively
communicated. (20 marks)

The video and entry form should be where you ‘show their working’; make sure
your ideas are clearly communicated.
The Submission Process
To be eligible to make an entry, students should be under 14 or in the academic year in
which they turned 14
Entries can be made by groups of up to five students:

Entries are admissible from individual students; these will be judged alongside entries
from groups.

Entries may have had the involvement of a larger group; however up to five students
need to be named as leading and coordinating.
Each submission should consist of:



A written submission form (no more than 1500 words).
A video pitch (up to three minutes in length).
A registration form (to be completed by your teacher/tutor).
You can download the written submission form from: www.farmtechchallenge.co.uk
Remember to give each question consideration, don’t use up all your words on one
question.
You will also have to prepare a video pitch for your invention (think Dragon’s Den or The
Apprentice). Your video should tell the judges the key things they need to know about your
invention. Things to include are:
a. Introduce the team name and school
b. Why did you create your invention, what is the problem/challenge/need?
c. Demonstrate your invention or prototype, how does it work?
d. Where could it be used? What difference would it make?
Although the judges will be evaluating both the written submission and video pitch
together, it is important that each one makes sense when viewed in isolation.
You should send your submissions to [email protected]
Hints and Tips for Submissions
The judging criteria are essential – consider these carefully. These are what the
judges will use to score the projects. Here are some other ideas that might be helpful.
1. Think about how the project is relevant to The Good Growth Plan. Your project can
address one or more of the themes but it doesn’t have to address everything. Doing
one thing well is better than doing many things poorly.
2. There are no prizes for complicating things; in fact, simpler is often better. This is
particularly true if the invention would have to work in inhospitable conditions, be sold
to people who don’t have much money or work in parts of the world where technical
support is limited.
3. The team can have up to five people in it. All the projects will be directly compared
with others; no allowances are made for the size of the group. Selecting the team is
important: it needs to cover the full range of skills needed.
4. Good projects build on other people’s ideas but don’t copy them, remember judges will
be checking entries and undertaking online research.
5. The judges are interested in both how the team went about it and what you came up
with.
6. Remember that one of the criteria relates to clarity of communication. However good
the project is, it needs to be explained well. All the judges will know of the project is
what is in the submission. A good idea is to show the completed submission to
someone who knows nothing about the project, give them the judging criteria and see
what they think.
7. Avoid being too descriptive; avoid trivial detail. It’s better to focus on how the solution
was developed and why it’s effective.
8. Diagrams are a good way of explaining things. Flow charts and block diagrams don’t
use many words but convey meaning well.
9. When it comes to the video pitch there are no marks for gimmicky extras. However it is
worth getting the production basics right. Make sure the subject is well lit and that the
sound quality is good. Avoid jerky hand held shots and crash zooms (it isn’t a music
video).
10. Every project has to overcome problems. Don’t ignore these, but explain how they
were solved. This is a good way of convincing the judges that the team is great at
problem solving.
Using Social Media
Social media channels like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are a great way to
keep up to date with news regarding the Farm Tech Challenge.*
The Farm Tech Challenge team will be posting regular updates, useful links and videos
through our Twitter, Facebook and YouTube accounts.
You can follow us and join the conversation at…
Farm Tech Challenge UK
@FarmTechUK
Farm Tech Challenge UK
Don’t forget to use #FarmTechUK in all your posts.
*You must abide by school and site rules regarding access and use of particular sites. For
example, Twitter and Facebook require everyone to be at least 13 years old before they
can create an account.
More information on The Good Growth Plan can be found at:
www.goodgrowthplan.com
More high tech examples can be found at the Farm Tech
Challenge Facebook: Farm Tech Challenge UK and Twitter:
@FarmTechUK pages.
About Syngenta:
Syngenta is a leading agricultural company helping to improve global food security by enabling
millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and
innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how
crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and
revitalizing rural communities.
To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com