Researchers Attempting Mechanized Robot Harvest of Chili Peppers

LAS CRUCES, NM – One of the most expensive and frustrating areas for specialty crop producers is the issue of manual labor at harvest. With very few Americans willing to take the physically-demanding labor positions, farmers have to rely on an immigrant population to fill the need.

The challenge for producers is compounded when situations like the COVID-19 pandemic keep workers out of the fields. So, New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems is providing a grant to determine if green chile peppers can be harvested using a mobile robotic manipulator that will replicate hand harvesting.

Over the last 12 years, a breeding line has been developed for mechanization efficiency by Stephanie Walker, an NMSU vegetable specialist. The new breeding lines incorporate traits including reduced force needed to remove the pods from plants and to destem as well.

Robotics is being used to pick other types of produce, but usually in a greenhouse setting, not in a field so the research could pave the way for mechanized harvesting of other crops in the future.
(SOURCE: New Mexico State University)