Original Press Release – August, 22nd, 2023
The award-winning Agtech startup will provide the first real-time mosquito surveillance to support CDC’s recent initiatives around vector control and mosquito suppression
RIVERSIDE, Calif., Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Today, agtech startup FarmSense, announces that it has been awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funds in the amount of $275,000, with potential expansion of up to $2 million for the creation of an end-to-end platform for digital mosquito surveillance. The project will support the vital work of vector control and mosquito suppression efforts, targeting the reduction of diseases like West Nile, Eastern Encephalitis, Zika, and Malaria. This development comes in the wake of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issuing a health advisory for multiple cases of malaria in the US for the first time since 2003.
The success of FarmSense’s FlightSensor™ in providing real-time pest monitoring for commercial agricultural operations is now expanding its technology into the realm of public health. Current mosquito monitoring primarily relies on mechanical traps that require frequent in-person attendance and are labor and time intensive. FarmSense’s technology will enhance both the time, accuracy, and ease of insect surveillance — thus bolstering mosquito suppression efforts, while reducing associated labor costs and the volume of pesticides that are used.
“FarmSense is honored and excited to be part of such a crucial public health project,” said Dr. Leslie Hickle, FarmSense co-founder and CEO. “I’m confident that the capabilities of our technology and FlightSensor device will provide the necessary data to effectively serve both the commercial agriculture industry as well as provide important public health information. This is one of those rare opportunities where technology benefits both agriculture as well as public health, generally separate markets, to enhance precise measures for insect suppression.”
Beyond area-wide surveillance and advancing mosquito suppression efforts, developments from this project will also provide researchers with valuable tools for better understanding mosquito-vectored diseases, measuring the effectiveness of attractants and repellents, new treatments, developing new technologies in mosquito control, and reducing overall pesticide use that will hopefully result in improved environmental protection. [Source]
FarmSense’s FlightSensor™ utilizes patented technology, computational entomology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time analytics to improve insect monitoring methods.
To partner with or learn more about FarmSense and their FlightSensor technology, visit https://www.FarmSense.io
About FarmSense: Founded in 2016, FarmSense helps farmers simplify pest management and take the guesswork out of insect monitoring. The company’s patented FlightSensor™ technology provides real-time insect counts and classifications, giving immediate access for farmers to make mission-critical decisions on crop and pest control.
As an award-winning startup, FarmSense has already been awarded more than $2 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding for the development of biosecurity measures against native and invasive pests. With the potential expansion of the latest SBIR, this total could grow to over $4 million. FarmSense has garnered numerous media features, participated in several notable agriculture and climate focused conferences, and received awards and grants from entities such as Microsoft, Google, US Department of Defense, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, National Science Foundation, US Department of Agriculture, National Institutes of Health, and more.
Media Contact:
Grady Moore