Optical Sorting Machines in Ukraine: New Opportunities for Farmers
In the context of a catastrophic labor shortage, Ukrainian farmers are forced to seek innovative solutions. One such solution has been optical sorting machines, which, despite their previously high prices, are confidently becoming part of the practices of European vegetable growers.
This is reported by AgroReview
Andriy Marushchak, the commercial director of Van Dyke Technics, a company specializing in vegetable storage and processing solutions, spoke about how Ukrainian farmers have started to actively explore these technologies.
“During my visit to Ireland, I saw how family farms that have been growing vegetables since the 1970s use optical sorting machines, which significantly reduce the need for human labor,”
he noted.
Technological Progress in Farming
According to the expert, the advantage of such machines lies in their ability to replace up to 20 workers. While in Ukraine farmers face difficulties in finding labor for sorting vegetables, this problem was resolved earlier in Ireland. There, farmers realized that investing in technology is more economically viable than ongoing labor costs.
The price of optical sorting machines has decreased due to increased production and technological advancements — they can now be purchased for up to 200,000 euros.
“This machine can pay for itself in three years, making it attractive for many farmers,”
emphasized Marushchak.
Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
Optical sorting machines utilize artificial intelligence, allowing them to learn and improve sorting quality. They can work with various types of vegetables and quickly respond to changes in product quality. Thanks to automation, these machines can operate without human involvement, making them an ideal solution for modern farming.
According to Marushchak, even small farmers who cultivate 50 hectares of potatoes can afford to purchase such technology.
“This will be a profitable investment, as the increase in productivity and reduction in labor costs will prove its effectiveness,”
he concluded.