🌱 Exciting News in Sustainable Agriculture: Introducing Map and Zap® by AgResearch

In the face of mounting challenges like herbicide resistance, rising chemical costs, labour shortages, and increasing consumer demand for sustainable produce, AgResearch has unveiled a truly transformative solution: Map and Zap® — an AI-powered laser weeding system redefining how weeds are managed on‑farm.

Developed under the leadership of Dr Kioumars Ghamkhar and a multidisciplinary team of AI, imaging, robotics, and laser-engineering experts, Map and Zap® brings a game‑changing approach to weed control. This technology uses trained AI models to detect unwanted weed species at their earliest stages—just 2–3 leaves—and then targets these weeds with precision lasers to “zap” them instantly. That means no herbicides, no soil disturbance, no chemical residues, and no carbon or microbiome impact—but a >90% kill rate.
(agresearch.co.nz)

Early trials have been outstanding. A prototype was showcased in a Canterbury vineyard in mid‑2024, impressing growers and industry experts alike. Observers praised its precision and potential to reduce reliance on chemicals while supporting soil health and productivity.
(farmersweekly.co.nz)

Industry commentators have been equally enthusiastic:

• Heath Stafford, wine industry adviser: “We can’t get rid of herbicides immediately, if at all, but we do need to embark on a technology pathway that largely eliminates their use. If we can prove Map and Zap® here, I think it’s got a fantastic chance of being successful on the global stage.”
  (Chris Lynch Media, farmersweekly.co.nz)
• Eitan Dan, MD for CropX Australasia: “This is the exact thing when you are saying precision agriculture. You are dealing precisely with a problem without harming everything around it.”
  (farmersweekly.co.nz)

The economic potential is vast. Weeds cost New Zealand agriculture over NZD 1.7 billion annually; in Australia and the US, the figures rise to AUD 3.3 billion and USD 33 billion respectively. And the global herbicide market is valued at around USD 40 billion. AgResearch estimates Map and Zap® could tap into a USD 6.4 billion segment across key farming systems including horticulture, pasture, oilseed, and rice.
(agresearch.co.nz)

What’s next? The Map and Zap® team is seeking commercial partnerships and investment to accelerate development into full production. The system is adaptable—it can be mounted on tractors, robotic ground vehicles, or drones—making it suitable for vineyards, orchards, vegetable fields, and pasture management alike.
(agresearch.co.nz)

AgResearch is actively engaging with investors and industry partners to launch a Map and Zap® spin‑out company. With over 50 farmers, forestry operators, and global agritech experts already consulted, demand is high. The goal? Scale globally across markets like New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and Southeast Asia.
(growag.com)

Why it matters to the agri‑community:

• A viable pathway to dramatically reduce herbicide use without sacrificing yield or efficiency.
• Precision targeting that protects crops, soil health, and the surrounding environment.
• Potential cost savings by replacing manual or chemical methods with scalable automation.
• Alignment with global sustainability trends and regulatory pressures on chemical residues and environmental impact.
• A shining example of New Zealand’s innovation in agritech and cross-sector R&D.

➡️ Join the conversation: Keen to learn more or explore partnership or investment opportunities with Map and Zap®? Feel free to connect or comment below—we’d love to open the dialogue.

AgResearch’s Map and Zap® is more than innovation—it’s the next frontier in smart, sustainable weed management. Let’s bring it to growers everywhere.