Bayer Crop Science partners Pinduoduo in Smart Agriculture Competition to develop “one-click planting” solutions

Rhea-AI Summary

Pinduoduo partners with Bayer Crop Science for the Smart Agriculture Competition, focusing on developing innovative models for tomato cultivation. The competition, running from August 2021 to March 2022, invites global teams to enhance tomato yield and nutrition using advanced agricultural technologies.

Last year's event saw technology teams outperform traditional growers, producing 196% more strawberries by weight. Bayer will supply the seeds and expertise for this year's competition, aiming to inspire young talent in agricultural innovations.

Positive

• Partnership with Bayer Crop Science enhances Pinduoduo's credibility in agricultural innovation.
• Focus on sustainable, cost-effective agriculture aligns with modern market demands.
• Successful track record from last year's competition, showcasing the effectiveness of technological approaches.

Negative

• None.

SHANGHAI, China, Aug. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bayer Crop Science, a global pioneer in digital farming and precision agriculture, will partner with Pinduoduo (NASDAQ: PDD) for its annual Smart Agriculture Competition.

“We are absolutely delighted to partner with Pinduoduo on this competition and contribute with our capabilities in the areas of disease prediction, crop protection and vegetable seed business,” said Alfonso Alba, Country Division Head for Bayer Crop Science in Greater China.

To be held from August 2021 to March 2022, teams from around the globe will take part in the Smart Agriculture Competition to develop “one-click planting” models for growing tomatoes, using nutrition science, algorithms, sensor technology and intelligent greenhouses. The objective is to boost the yield and nutritional content of tomatoes while ensuring the process is cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.

As China’s largest agriculture platform, Pinduoduo spearheaded the creation of the Smart Agriculture Competition as a way to gather the top minds in agronomy and computer science to develop technology that can help smallholder farmers and spur agricultural modernization.

Pinduoduo is organizing the competition together with the China Agricultural University and Zhejiang University. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Wageningen University & Research are serving as technical advisers.

In last year’s Smart Agriculture Competition, teams of data scientists were pitted against traditional growers to see who can produce more strawberries. The technology teams won with 196% more fruit by weight on average. They also outperformed in terms of profitability of investment.

The tomato was chosen for this year’s competition. A flowering plant of the nightshade family, the tomato is grown all over the world for its edible fruits and is a good source of vitamin C and lycopene.

For the competition, Bayer Crop Science will provide the seeds of the Delisher cherry plum tomato for cultivation. The company will also offer its crop protection expertise, environmental monitoring and disease management.

“Through the Smart Agriculture Competition, we hope to interest more young scientific talent in agriculture so that they can apply their talents to helping farmers,” said Andre Zhu, Senior Vice President at Pinduoduo. “Helping farmers to grow better not only helps people to eat better, but also has a positive impact on the environment.”

About Pinduoduo Inc.

Pinduoduo is a mobile-only marketplace that connects millions of agricultural producers with consumers across China. Pinduoduo aims to bring more businesses and people into the digital economy so that local communities can benefit from the increased productivity and convenience through new market opportunities.

For more information on Pinduoduo news and industry trends, please visit the content hub at https://stories.pinduoduo-global.com.

FAQ

What is the Smart Agriculture Competition organized by Pinduoduo?

The Smart Agriculture Competition is an annual contest aimed at developing advanced agricultural models, specifically for growing tomatoes in this year's edition.

Who is partnering with Pinduoduo for the Smart Agriculture Competition?

Bayer Crop Science is partnering with Pinduoduo for the Smart Agriculture Competition, providing expertise and seeds.

What were the results of last year's Smart Agriculture Competition?

Last year's competition revealed that technology teams produced 196% more strawberries by weight than traditional growers.

How long does the Smart Agriculture Competition last?

The current Smart Agriculture Competition runs from August 2021 to March 2022.

What role does Bayer Crop Science play in the competition?

Bayer Crop Science provides Delisher cherry plum tomato seeds and expertise in crop protection and disease management.