HPNow closes €14M round

HPNow has successfully closed a €14M round. The equity round is led by The Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) together with Novo Holdings. Other investors in the round include MatiTech – a sustainable water treatment solution provider in Sub Sahara, and existing investors Evonik Venture Capital and AP Ventures.…

Jamaica: Growers encouraged to consider aquaponics

Farmers are being encouraged to consider climate-smart agricultural practices, including the use of aquaponics, for their farms. This form of sustainable agriculture is akin to the use of greenhouses and drip irrigation for plants. Research and Outreach Coordinator at the College of Agriculture, Science,…

"How IoT is shaping the future of agriculture"

"The integration of IoT in agriculture has resulted in more efficient and productive farming operations. For instance, the use of smart sensors to monitor soil moisture levels and environmental conditions helps in optimizing irrigation and fertilization schedules, leading to water conservation and…

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Top tips to address common issues with microgreens

Microgreens are a popular choice for health-conscious individuals and culinary enthusiasts alike. These tiny, nutrient-packed greens are a versatile addition to salads, sandwiches, and various dishes. However, like any crop, microgreens can face their fair share of challenges. In this article, we will…

Rethinking vertical farm automation with ‘Robotics-as-a-service’

The economic landscape in which vertical farms must operate has fundamentally changed in a very short amount of time. Rapidly rising inflation, increasing interest rates, and the economic consequences of that have hit the industry hard and left many current and new farms struggling. Despite its large…

What to grow in a vertical farm

The vertical farming industry is currently geared towards producing leafy green vegetables, but why? From what makes the most sense financially to the characteristics of leafy green vegetables themselves, there are a few good reasons why lettuces, herbs, and the like are the gold standard for hydroponic crops. Ultimately, these…

Floating sea farms: a solution to feed the world and ensure freshwater by 2050

The sun and the sea – both abundant and free – are being harnessed in a unique project to create vertical sea farms floating on the ocean that can produce fresh water for drinking and agriculture. In what is believed to be a world first, University of South Australia researchers have designed a…

New dehumidifier created with small-space projects in mind

Quest Climate has unveiled the new Quest 100, a dehumidifier created with small-space projects or hobbyist growers in mind. It is the smallest dehumidifier in the product line-up, featuring Quest’s patented M-CoRR Technology. “The Quest 100 is the first machine offered to small-scale growers that does not…

Vertical flower greenhouse saves energy and increases yield with dehumidification

“The gas savings are around 50%, although every year is different. But there’s also 30% more tulips.” Arjan Rood says regarding integrating DryGair in a vertical tulip greenhouse. Arjan is the president of the horticulture supply and installation company, KaRo BV. Humidity problems in vertical layersAdding…

US (CA): Indoor farming assets put up for auction

West Auctions is launching an online auction of container farms and indoor farming equipment in West Sacramento, CA. The products include six container farms, seed storage cabinets, air handlers, heat pumps, multiport flow selectors, heat recovery units, dehumidifiers, osmosis systems, gravity…

China: Space farm yields first positive results

The space vegetable planting experiment conducted by the Shenzhou-16 crew, who have been in orbit for almost three months, has yielded a good harvest. In the video below, you can see the professional space cultivation device that was used. This system provides plants with all they need to thrive, with…

"Don't mash the marble track"

A watering system is actually a chain with different parts: water pump, pipes, and so on. A crucial part in that chain is the filter. "This part should actually not break down, and if it does break down, you need to be able to repair it very quickly. The SAF filter is so robust that it can't actually break," says Stefan Bakker,…

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Tips on how to have a profitable mushroom cultivation business

While mushroom farming might appear demanding and strenuous at first glance, there's an intriguing allure to it. Official data from the National Farmers Information Service (NAFIS) reveals that Kenya produces 500 tonnes of mushrooms annually, falling short of the demand of 1200 tonnes. Consequently,…

"Developing robotics applications to take over repetitive, labor-intensive tasks"

Martin Stolze announces to have added a new Robotics department. Menno van Dongen started as Product Owner Robotics on August 1. "We are happy that Menno van Dongen is back…

The roll of AI in breeding

Artificial intelligence could hold the key to feeding 10 billion people by 2050 in the face of climate change and rapidly evolving pests and pathogens, according to researchers at The University of Queensland. Professor Lee Hickey from UQ's Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation said AI offered opportunities to…

Raspberry-picking robot startup gets £1.5 mln in funding

Climate investor Elbow Beach Capital is supplying £1.5 million to raspberry-picking robot creator Fieldwork Robotics. It marks the third food-picking startup the venture capital firm has invested in, after it supplied cash to Shropshire-based broccoli upcycling startup Upp and asparagus field robot maker…

Automatic transplants for labor savings and quality improvement

At location G. of Beekenkamp Plants in 's-Gravenzande, young plants (fruiting vegetables) are grown under glass on 10 hectares. We spoke to Erno Starre, assistant company manager, there about labor. For example, how many people are needed to transplant 12,000 plants per hour? Erno: "In the peak period,…

UK growers partner to scale smart shade coating for commercial greenhouses

A coating that is transparent in cold weather and automatically converts to opaque in hot weather to provide on-demand shade. With that idea, the university spin-off Albotherm was erected. Now the startup has been awarded a significant grant from Innovate UK to spearhead a groundbreaking project in…

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UK: Taylor’s Urban Farm advocates for automated, sustainable agriculture

Imagine having rows of edible fruits, vegetables, and herbs growing around town and harvesting deliciously fresh, organic and pesticide-free produce all year round. Well, that is the future envisioned by the students and staff at Taylor’s University with the introduction of Taylor’s Urban Farm. TUF (for…

"Increase product yield, safety, customization, and sanitation"

"By walking through the industry's hardships at Hamill, we have learned that being flexible and scalable is key so companies aren't overextended on equipment before they can start to harvest. Let us grow with you by starting with the product and the harvesting. All our equipment is designed to scale with…

US: Hybrid chiller leverages multiple energy sources

"Growers are now able to use a chiller that's powered by a natural gas engine. When using natural gas during operation, the heat is captured off the engine, and indoor and greenhouse farms can utilize this byproduct for domestic hot water, dehumidification, space heating, and any other need in the…

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Japan: Aquarium leverages fish to grow crops

At the aquarium complex, lettuce and mint are growing beside a tank that contains three fish species, including a rosy tetra. A sign reads: “Veggies are growing with fish excrement.” A reporter saw families looking impressed during a visit to the aquarium in an Ikebukuro skyscraper in late May. Sunshine…

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How can modeling help to grow a better indoor farm lettuce crop?

OptimIA researchers are using crop modeling to identify the most favorable environmental parameters for the growth and yield of indoor farm lettuce crops and how to prevent tipburn. One of the research objectives of the OptimIA project, which is being funded by USDA to the tune of $2.4 million, is to…

Roof-top MSP technology dehumidification models released to serve growing indoor agriculture market

KCC Manufacturing is now offering the MSP Technology DD models for large rooftop dehumidification solutions with airflow up to 24,000 cubic feet per minute in addition to the MSP Technology DV models to serve the growing indoor agriculture market. “KCC Manufacturing’s MSP Technology uses wrap-around,…

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Iron in Hydroponic systems

Have you ever noticed the different presentations of iron when selecting ingredients to make nutrient recipes? Iron can be presented in different ways. This element can easily precipitate in tanks or reservoirs when mixed with other elements. The best way to avoid precipitation is by adding iron through chelates. This is why…

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How urban farming is transforming agriculture

Urban farming has been gaining traction in cities around the world, and with it has come a revolution in the way we think about agriculture. This new phenomenon is transforming agriculture from the traditional model of rural farming to an innovative, sustainable approach to food production within cities.…

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Selecting the right microgreens for commercial production

Check the video below to discover the secrets behind achieving high-quality microgreens, maximizing yields, and optimizing your production process. Uncover innovative ways to differentiate your products in a competitive market and attract loyal customers. Learn about sustainable practices, organic…

EU seeks to allow CRISPR-Cas in future

The European Commission's new draft law for GMO plants, made public on July 5, proposes to relax regulations, which will have a significant impact on Europe's seed companies,…

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US (NE): “It’s kind of small-town magic”

Most of the herbs and greens found in restaurants and grocery stores in the Panhandle are grown over a thousand miles away. The Kerr family and Thirsty Roots Farm are trying to change this. They are providing locally grown herbs and other greens through farming techniques known as hydroponics.…

New indoor and vertical farming harvester

At GreenTech Amsterdam, you could see the bHarvest at TTA's stand. This new Dutch-made harvesting machine for indoor and vertical farming uses dual blades, which only touch each plant once. That is important, Renko Schuil emphasized at the trade show, because it keeps damage to a minimum. "That, in turn,…