BBLeap and Agrifirm Lower the Barrier for Sustainable Cultivation

Source: Link Magazine, September 2025 edition. Text: Frank Senteur. Photos: BBLeap, Agrifirm, Kevin de Lange.

In the Flevopolder, a large-scale pilot for site-specific and plant-specific spraying has launched, an initiative by the Agrifirm cooperative in collaboration with technology partners BBLeap and Tective Robotics. Ten growers with potatoes, onions, and possibly flower bulbs are participating. By mid-August, seven arable farmers had already signed up.

The pilot is intended to prove in practice that plant-specific precision spraying technology actually leads to more sustainable cultivation, less product usage, and higher yields.

Wall of Misunderstanding

Although precision spraying has been discussed for decades, the technology has seen only limited application in arable and fruit farming. According to Peter Millenaar, director of BBLeap, this is partly due to disappointing experiences with previous systems.

“Other providers claim they can spray site-specifically, but in practice, they don’t deliver. As a result, many farmers are skeptical. We therefore first have to break through a wall of misunderstanding and reluctance before growers understand what we can truly do—namely, delivering what we promise.”

Differences Within a Single Field

Every field has its own microclimate. Plants grow unevenly; some spots struggle with diseases, others with weeds. Yet, in conventional cultivation methods, nutrients and crop protection products are still sprayed integrally over the entire field. This is far from ideal.

Evert Hofman, concept manager of Plant Based Solutions at Agrifirm, explains why this isn’t ideal:

“Some plants get too much product, others too little. Meanwhile, height differences, soil type, and local microclimates also have an influence. The only correct solution is to treat plants individually—and that is finally possible thanks to BBLeap.”

The Technology Behind Plant-Specific Spraying

The principle of BBLeap’s LeapBox technology is comparable to an inkjet printer: every nozzle on the spray boom can be controlled individually. This means every nozzle knows exactly when and how much liquid must be applied.

“Developing spray booms with individually controllable nozzles was the holy grail,” says Millenaar. “With this technology, we can finally do what seemed impossible for years: treating every single plant with maximum precision.”

LeapEye: Seeing, Measuring, and Deciding

To determine where and how much to spray, BBLeap uses multiple data sources:

• Satellite imagery for the general view of the field.
• Soil samples to understand local conditions.
• Drone data to map the situation per field.
• LeapEye system: Cameras and processors mounted on the spray boom that continuously record images of crops and weeds.

The position of every camera is recorded with GPS, so the system knows exactly which plant is located where. Furthermore, LeapEye supports algorithms from external developers, enabling customization for different crops or regions.

Big Data 

The massive amount of data forms the foundation of data-driven precision agriculture. This data is processed with advanced software, supported by AI and algorithms that optimize cultivation in real-time.

Within the pilot, Agrifirm translates this data into practice in the form of highly accurate spraying plans and targeted cultivation advice.

“With the help of BBLeap’s precision spraying technology and drone technology from partners like Tective Robotics, we are focusing on data-driven crop care,” says Evert Hofman of Agrifirm.

During the pilot, crops are scanned weekly using the LeapEye cameras mounted on the spray boom. This continuous monitoring provides crucial information, enabling spraying to be targeted precisely where it is needed — and nowhere else.

The Pilot: Three Years of Learning, Validating, and Improving

The three-year pilot project in Flevoland is being carried out with ten growers and supervised by Agrifirm. The focus is on potatoes and onions, but other crops may follow. Agrifirm combines BBLeap’s precision spraying data with its own soil potential maps and crop recommendations. During the growing season, the crops are scanned weekly using LeapEye cameras and drones.

Hofman continues:

“We support growers through a three-year learning programme, during which our crop advisors provide practical guidance based on soil potential maps and crop data collected via LeapEye and drones. Growers share their experiences in study groups and receive a report after each season detailing environmental impact, crop development and yield trends.”

This integration of big data, AI and practical knowledge creates a unique partnership in which technology and cultivation reinforce one another, with measurable benefits for both the farmer and the environment.

Lowering financial barriers

To encourage participation, BBLeap offers discounts and flexible entry options:

• Growers receive a €10,000 discount on the purchase of the LeapBox spraying system and the LeapEye camera system.
• BBLeap’s LeapSpace subscription and the Agrifirm precision plan are free for the first year.
• Furthermore, the technology can also be fitted to existing sprayers, thereby limiting the initial investment.

The systems have been in practical use since 2020, with demonstrable results:
up to 30% reduction in pesticide use, less spray damage and higher yields.

Practical Experience: Arable Farmer Johan Bierma

One of the participating growers is Johan Bierma from Zeewolde. Together with his father, he runs a 60-hectare arable farm, growing potatoes, onions, wheat and sugar beet.

“We’re always sceptical about new technologies,” says Bierma. “When we wanted to buy a new field sprayer, we wanted to invest in a system that’s ready for a more sustainable future. With BBLeap, we now have a high-tech platform that allows us to spray in a location- and crop-specific manner. Thanks to the pilot project and our collaboration with Agrifirm, I expect to be able to optimise the yield and quality of our harvests.”

Together Towards Sustainable Precision Agriculture

The collaboration between BBLeap, Agrifirm and Tective Robotics demonstrates that data-driven agriculture is no longer a distant prospect, but is becoming a reality.
By combining technology, crop-growing expertise and practical experience, a new standard for sustainable crop protection is emerging, with a measurably lower environmental impact and greater profitability for the grower.

“This is only the beginning,” Millenaar concludes.

Read the full article in Link Magazine or find out how BBLeap makes the move

to plan-specific spraying accessible to every grower.

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