May 27, 2022. In autumn 2021, the organic food producer AUGA group, AB introduced the world’s first biomethane and electric tractor – the AUGA M1 − for professional use. This year, the company, together with one of the strongest agricultural machinery manufacturers in the region, Akcinė bendrovė Rokiškis Machine Factory, begins to prepare the production of the first batch of the tractors. The company plans to start using the tractors on farms belonging to the company in the second half of 2022.
“Over the past half year, we have been actively testing prototypes on our farms. For faster technology development and to get the tractors doing real work as quickly as possible, we have enlarged our team of engineers, which has more than tripled in size during this period,” says Kęstutis Juščius, CEO of AUGA group, AB.
He adds that active testing of the tractor is still ongoing so that the engineering team can gather as much data as possible and ensure a smooth production process for the first batch. “The recent tests have led to even more technical knowledge and improvements in the technology. Successful test results allowed us to take a new step – to start preparation of production of the first batch together with Akcinė bendrovė Rokiškis Machine Factory. The frames of the hybrid tractors are already now being constructed, and the components that are needed for manufacturing are already on their way to Lithuania,” says Juščius.
The agreement with Akcinė bendrovė Rokiškis Machine Factory for the contract production of the hybrid tractors was signed by the company at the end of last year. The factory in Lithuania has many years of experience in the production of agricultural machinery and metal processing.
It is expected that 2022 will be year of technological breakthrough for AUGA group, AB. In addition to putting the hybrid tractors to work on farms, the company plans this year to launch biomethane production and complete the testing of specialised feed technology. These innovative projects are part of the group’s strategy to become an AgTech company.
