Continuing our series of Stenon customer success stories and case studies, we are excited to share our latest case study conducted at Pobeda farm in Kazakhstan in collaboration with our partner, Eurasia Group.
Introduction
Located in North Kazakhstan, Pavlador region, Farm Pobeda has collaborated with Eurasia Group, the exclusive distributor of Stenon in the region, to harness innovative soil analysis technology for the past several years. This collaboration has yielded impressive results, including a 4% increase in corn yield, a 15% reduction in fertilizer use, and an 8x improvement in ROI through Stenon’s real-time soil analysis technology.
Since partnering with Eurasia Group in 2023, Stenon has actively promoted agricultural digitalization in Kazakhstan, expanding this initiative into North Kyrgyzstan as well. As the national distributor of top-tier agricultural machinery manufacturers, Eurasia Group has leveraged this partnership to enhance its digital agriculture offerings, giving local farmers access to cutting-edge technology that optimizes inputs and maximizes yields.
Challenge
Introducing innovative technology into new markets often presents challenges, and agriculture is no exception. While early adopters may be eager to explore new solutions, wider adoption can be challenging. Stenon’s patented technology, which has no analogues worldwide, brings groundbreaking capabilities to soil analysis and input recommendations, generating significant interest among Kazakhstani growers.
Though Stenon’s technology has proven its success in Germany and other markets, it is essential to demonstrate its effectiveness in local conditions to gain wider acceptance. Stenon consistently supports its partners by designing tailored case studies to validate the technology’s benefits. In this spirit, a case study was co-designed with Eurasia Group, eager to see Stenon’s technology deliver quantifiable advantages in the Kazakhstani context.
Solution
To assess the impact of Stenon’s technology, Eurasia Group collaborated with Farm Pobeda on a case study, deploying Stenon’s real-time soil analysis device, FarmLab, across the entire 313-hectare farm. The study focused on soil nutrient levels, specifically nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which are vital for crop health in this region. Soil measurements were taken using a 1-hectare grid, with data collected from April 25 to May 1, 2024.
Equipped with a GPS module, the FarmLab device enabled precise mapping of soil nutrients across the farm. This information was then used to create targeted, variable-rate fertilizer applications, optimizing nutrient delivery according to the specific needs of each area.
For the trial, the field was divided into distinct zones:
1. Control Zone: Fertilizer was applied according to Farm Pobeda’s historical fertilization practices.
2. Variable Rate Zone: Fertilizer was applied based on Stenon’s soil measurements and recommendations from Stenon’s WebApp.
Monitoring involved three key evaluation methods:
NDVI Mapping: Satellite NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) maps were taken on June 21, July 1, and July 23, 2024, to assess crop vigor.
Visual Crop Quality Analysis: Ongoing field inspections were conducted to assess crop health and nutrition levels.
Yield Comparison: Post-harvest yield analysis on September 19, 2024 provided concrete results on crop output.
Results
The case study yielded compelling evidence of Stenon’s impact on yield, input efficiency, and profitability:
1. NDVI Maps: The NDVI maps clearly showed superior crop vigor in the variable-rate application zone. In contrast, the control zone displayed areas of lower crop productivity, underscoring the benefits of precise nutrient management guided by Stenon’s data.
2. Visual Crop Quality: Field observations confirmed robust crop quality and consistent nutrition levels in the variable-rate application zone, aligning with the findings from the NDVI maps.
3. Yield and Input Efficiency: The harvest results underscored the financial and operational benefits of Stenon’s technology:
4% Yield Increase: The variable-rate application zone delivered a yield of 32.5 t/ha, surpassing the control zone’s yield of 30.6 t/ha.
15% Reduction in Fertilizer Usage: By delivering nutrients precisely where needed, Farm Pobeda reduced fertilizer usage by 15% in the variable-rate zone, contributing to both environmental sustainability and cost savings.
4. Return on Investment: The case study highlighted the substantial economic value of Stenon’s technology. Farm Pobeda’s use of Stenon’s solution led to an 8x increase in ROI, demonstrating how precision agriculture can drive profitability.
Conclusion
The results from Farm Pobeda illustrate the power of Stenon’s real-time soil analysis technology for optimizing agricultural inputs and maximizing crop yield. By leveraging precise nutrient mapping and targeted fertilizer applications, growers not only reduce environmental impact but also achieve significant cost savings and productivity gains.
For partners like Eurasia Group, integrating Stenon’s technology into their portfolio means they can offer an advanced, data-driven solution that aligns with the growing demand for digital agriculture. This case study showcases how Stenon’s technology can support farming operations in achieving sustainable growth while enhancing profitability—a compelling proposition for both current users and potential partners in agriculture.
With its proven effectiveness across various regions and soil conditions, Stenon’s technology continues to redefine soil management and precision agriculture. As growers increasingly prioritize efficiency, sustainability, and profitability, Stenon offers a transformative solution that aligns perfectly with these goals.
„We are proud of the results of the Farm Pobeda case study, which powerfully demonstrates the impact of Stenon’s technology in real-world conditions. Seeing such significant improvements in yield, fertilizer efficiency, and ROI underscores the value of our solution for growers looking to maximize their resources sustainably. This success reflects our commitment to empowering farmers worldwide with precise, data-driven insights, and we’re excited to continue our work with Eurasia Group to bring digital innovation to agriculture in Kazakhstan and beyond.“
— Niels Grabbert, CEO of Stenon
„The Farm Pobeda case study showcases the transformative potential of data-driven precision agriculture powered by Stenon’s innovative real-time soil analysis technology. The remarkable results—an impressive 4% yield increase, a substantial 15% reduction in fertilizer usage, and an outstanding 8x return on investment—demonstrate how intelligent soil management can directly enhance both sustainability and profitability in modern farming. These achievements underline the critical importance of leveraging localized data insights to optimize input application and improve crop performance. At Eurasia Group Kazakhstan, we are committed to empowering farmers with advanced digital solutions that meet the evolving demands of the agricultural sector. Our partnership with Stenon represents a significant step forward in delivering cutting-edge technology that not only boosts efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also aligns with global sustainability goals. The success of this collaboration highlights our shared vision of a more resilient, resource-efficient agricultural future. We are excited to continue driving innovation, supporting growers with tailored solutions.“
— Evgeny Chesnokov, Head of Agromanagement Department of Eurasia Group Kazakhstan.
About Stenon
Since its founding in 2018, Stenon GmbH, based in Potsdam, Germany, has become the global market leader in real-time digital soil data that is especially beneficial for agricultural producers, consultants and precision agriculture businesses. With its sensor- and cloud-based mobile measuring device FarmLab, Stenon provides agriculture businesses with essential data to make optimal and sustainable cultivation decisions, boost yield, crop quality and soil health while saving money on inputs.
About Eurasia Group Kazakhstan
Eurasia Group Kazakhstan LLP has a wide regional distribution network: 14 regional offices in Kazakhstan and 1 in Kyrgyzstan.
Having its own agro-management and digitalisation departments, the company comprises over 500 employees, half of which are providing after-sales services. Over the years of work in Kazakhstan, more than 13 000 units of equipment were delivered, and 4,4 million hectares have been digitized.