They took on the challenge
Season 5
Each year, the Make IT Agri Challenge celebrates innovative student projects dedicated to more sustainable agriculture and food systems. On this page, explore the finalists and winning teams from previous editions: ambitious ideas, concrete solutions, and passionate talent. Plenty to inspire you and maybe spark your own desire to join the adventure!
IRRIMA proposes an automated irrigation solution for agriculture. Using connected sluice gates, it regulates water flow based on real crop needs, reducing waste and labor for farmers. The aim is to automate and remotely manage gravity irrigation, preserving water resources while improving farmers’ working conditions.
By cultivating a high-potential plant, duckweed, LEMNA offers an alternative to vegetable proteins imported into France. Production relies on technical innovations both agronomic (aquaponics) and digital (monitoring, control, and automation of cultivation). Duckweed, transformed into protein foods, can be used in various markets such as human and animal food.
Sal-E by IntraCol is a multifunction autonomous ground robot capable of: spraying biocontrol products to fight diseases, removing weeds with custom tools, and detecting diseased plants while signaling them.
With the growing threat of Asian hornets, which destroy thousands of beehives and kill countless bees each year, the Hornet Killer team designed a laser-based device mounted on a motor to protect hives. Using artificial intelligence to recognize the hornet, the system activates the laser to neutralize it.
Work’Agri is a mobile app connecting farmers in need of labor with people looking for work. Farmers can hire help on a temporary basis according to their needs. Anyone—whether they have agricultural experience or not—can register and respond to paid job postings. A second feature connects retired farmers with new entrants to share their knowledge.
AgriLink makes local food accessible by offering producers and distributors a turnkey solution to set up short supply chains. Want to sell fresh, local products in your supermarket? AgriLink manages everything—from order taking with producers to in-store delivery. Selling local has never been easier. Making local food accessible is a first step toward fairer and more sustainable food systems.
The Bestiole team developed an AI-powered device to detect and analyze insect populations (especially pests), helping farmers reduce pesticide use in their fields.
Easy’Diet is a food-consumption app that allows people with medical conditions, allergies, or intolerances to order fresh, local products based on tailored recipes.
Welf’Heart measures the welfare of dairy and beef cattle using heart rate sensors and GPS data. It allows farmers to quickly detect stress (health problems, accidents, attacks, etc.), assess animal welfare throughout production, and apply solutions for improvement. It could also contribute to enhancing or creating animal welfare labels, helping inform consumers about product quality.
CalvTec is an automated calving detection tool designed to help farmers monitor and assist during calving while reducing the strain of constant surveillance. This non-invasive, animal-friendly sensor relies on real-time image analysis. When behavioral changes signal the start of calving, an alert (SMS, call, notification) is sent to the farmer, allowing timely intervention.
From student projects to real businesses, these teams show how Make IT Agri can be a springboard for turning innovation into concrete impact.