Sint-Truiden (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In the orchards of the horticultural school in Hasp-o stadsrand, The e-weeder, showing today, July 20, 2025, at 4 PM in Sint-Truiden by Eddy Leclere, removes weeds without chemicals using electric shocks. It fits standard tractors and suits 3-meter orchard rows.
As VRT News reported, at Studiekring Guvelingen in Sint-Truiden, a facility that supports fruit growers and seeks innovative farming methods, researchers continually develop new ideas. One of their newest tools is the e-weeder. This is a machine that removes weeds without using any chemicals.
Eddy Leclere, who works at the centre, explains that the machine kills weeds by sending electric shocks through special flaps that touch the plants. These flaps move over the weeds and send strong electric pulses into them. This power goes deep into the plant and destroys not just the leaves, but also the roots.
Because the roots are killed too, the weeds do not come back. Officials mentioned that this is better than older ways that only cut or pull out the weeds. The e-weeder helps farmers avoid using sprays and other treatments again and again..
Is the e-Weeder the future of eco-friendly farming in Sint-Truiden?
This afternoon, July 20, 2025, at 4 PM, the e-weeder will be shown in action for the first time on the European mainland. The demonstration will take place in the orchards of the Horticultural School Hasp-o Stadsrand in Sint-Truiden. Farmers, students, and researchers are invited to watch the machine and see how it removes weeds.
The e-weeder can be attached to a normal tractor, so fruit growers can use it easily. The machine works well at a speed of 4 to 5 kilometres per hour. It is made for fruit trees like apples and pears that grow in rows about 3 meters apart.
Eddy Leclere says they are also working on a model for vineyards. He mentioned that grape plants grow closer together, so the machine needs to be different. Because of this flexible design, the e-weeder could be used for different kinds of crops in the future.
The e-weeder is a machine made in England to help farmers remove weeds in a better way. It is still not known who will sell the machine in Belgium, and the price has not been shared yet. Officials mentioned that, but the machine could help farmers save money later because they won’t need to buy as many herbicides. That is why it is also a smart choice for organic farmers, since they are not allowed to use chemical weed killers.
