Pistachio growers face three main challenges when it comes to pollination: a lack of synchronization in the flowering time between male and female trees, a low rate of pollination, and a relatively long sexual maturation of young male trees that produce a small amount of pollen. To ensure fertilization, a sufficient amount of pollen is required from male trees’ blossoms, carried by the wind to flowers on female trees at the right time. The process depends on the flowers of the male and female trees blooming at the same time, affected by the number of cold hours the trees receive in winter. Extreme weather changes during the flowering season, such as heat or late rains, can damage the quality of pollination. Failure to produce enough pollen by male trees in young pistachio plantations can lead to lower yields.
Eidit’s precision pollination service (PPaS) solution, based on the company’s 2Be® model pollination machine dispersing high-quality pure pollen, has attracted interest in the agricultural industry for increasing yields and reducing risks. In 2023, a record year for pistachio crops in the US, Eidit’s precise pollination services led to a 19% increase in the pistachio crop in California. The company, established in 2016 and located in Basmat Tivon and Paso Robles, California, provides precision pollination services to pistachio and almond growers, including some of the world’s largest growers. With over 15 million dollars raised and 15 employees, Idit’s technology enhances crop production and strengthens the agriculture industry.
Investors in Idit include six kibbutzim, a cooperative settlement, and private investors. The company’s pollination services are based on unique technology, including a pollen bank maintained for over five years and an autonomous pollinator dispersing only pure pollen charged with an electrostatic charge in controlled quantities. This technology has revolutionized agricultural practices and supports sustainable food growth. Idit Technologies Precision Agriculture is committed to making advancements in agriculture and providing high-quality pollination services to growers.