Supporting Quality brand Irish Distillers and Maynooth University Ireland are partnering on a pilot research project to develop an autonomous regenerative agriculture platform through robotics and sensing solutions, to improve the sustainability of cereal crop production.
Through a two-year bursary, Irish Distillers will support a research team at Maynooth University on a journey to develop an efficient and economically viable solution, using robotics, to support regenerative agriculture and improve the environmental impact of cereal crop production.
The project will use mobile farming robots, sensing solutions and vertical solar panels to monitor and manage cereal cultivation, with the aim of optimising grain yields and resource utilisation while delivering a resilient ecosystem that nurtures soil health, biodiversity, and long-term environmental vitality.
Irish Distillers Head of Sustainability and Compliance, Graham Caulwell said: “We are immensely proud to invest in the next generation to research and develop innovative solutions to address one of the biggest challenges of our time. With the integration of robotics, this pioneering project aims to support regenerative agriculture while enhancing efficiency. This partnership is more than a commercial alliance; it is the fusion of shared visions for a sustainable future.”
Maynooth University Vice President Research and Innovation, Professor Rachel Msetfi said: “Maynooth University welcomes this partnership with industry in supporting the development of sustainable agriculture. This important collaboration aligns with Maynooth University’s focus on sustainability as one of our key beacon research areas under the University’s Strategic Plan. I would like to thank Irish Distillers for this funding and research opportunity.”
Irish Distillers employs over 800 people across its operations in Cork and Dublin. The company is a member of the Supporting Quality campaign and has a SIPTU organised workforce.