Meet Yoav Yichie, General Manager for Australia

In late 2019, Yoav Yichie joined our global #ATeam to head up Aerobotics Australia. 

Australia’s agriculture industry is ripe with exciting opportunities for Aerobotics technology to help boost farm production.

To continue growing as a leading tree analytics provider in this region, we needed someone with expertise in agriculture and horticulture, as well as a passion for positive customer experiences.

With years of experience in the industry and a Ph.D. in Plant Genetics under his belt, Yoav is our ideal person for the job.

We sat down with Yoav to ask him a few questions so that you can get to know the Australian farmer’s point of contact. 

When did you join Aerobotics? 

Yoav: I joined the company in late 2019.

What is your role in the company and describe your day-to-day? 

Yoav: I am a Business Development Manager in Australia, a new market to Aerobotics with strong potential for growth. 

What I do tends to differ from week to week. I travel around key agricultural areas in Australia and build relationships with potential customers and our existing Farmers, Agronomists and Farm Managers.

My job also entails coordinating the different teams such as managing our back-end operations and supporting the local pilots to ensure a smooth experience for the end-user.

Tell us a bit about your background. What did you do before joining? 

Yoav: I’ve always been passionate about agriculture and had a strong connection to the industry.

Growing up in Israel, I have a great amount of experience working in broad acres and horticulture crops as well as plant breeding. I always like to combine my practical agronomic expertise with the latest scientific approaches.

I recently graduated from the University of Sydney with a Ph.D. in Plant Genetics while working in the Australian agtech start-up space using remote sensing.

What are you most looking forward to at the company? 

Yoav: I look forward to seeing the Australian market thrive and to hearing more success stories from our farmers here, over and above the positive feedback we have been receiving up until now.

How does Aerobotics technology benefit the Australian grower? 

Yoav: In a challenging and unpredictable time for agriculture in Australia, where drought and labor costs are becoming majorly limiting factors, Aerobotics’ platform can dramatically improve efficiency on the farm.

With our farm management platform, the farmer can focus efforts and resources on the areas in the orchard that require the most attention; prioritize daily practices, and better manage labor costs.

Our early-stage problem detection platform, in-depth tree analytics, and yield estimates allow the farmer peace of mind. The multispectral cameras attached to our drones, together with advanced Aerobotics technology scan the farm at a level unseen to the naked eye and provides alerts for any anomalies.

Now we want to find out more about you. What can you be found doing in your spare time? 

Yoav: This is easy. You can usually find me surfing at the beach.

Other activities I enjoy include exercise, walking my dog and, of course, spending quality time with my wife.

What is something people might not know about you?

Yoav: I am a big fan of Tottenham Hotspur and I would wake up in the middle of the night to watch a game.

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why? 

Yoav: I would like to have dinner with my grandfather who passed away several years ago.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us, Yoav!

The team looks forward to seeing Yoav’s Aerobotics career go from strength to strength as he supports growers around Australia. 

Get in touch with Yoav for his expert opinion on how you can optimize and protect your production.