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AI to Grow Strawberries Year-Round in Canada
10 Jan
Summary
- Project aims for year-round, affordable greenhouse strawberries.
- Hybrid greenhouse and vertical farming system competes for prize.
- AI predicts nutrient needs, reducing waste and improving health.
Researchers at the University of Guelph, in partnership with Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, are pioneering a sophisticated greenhouse and vertical farming system. This innovative approach utilizes artificial intelligence to achieve year-round strawberry cultivation, aiming to make fresh, high-quality berries affordable for Canadians, even during winter months. The project is a finalist in the Weston Family Foundation's Homegrown Innovation Challenge, which seeks to bolster Canada's food resiliency.
The team is implementing a hybrid system that combines vertical farming with advanced AI. This technology continuously monitors and analyzes over a dozen factors, including light, humidity, and nutrient absorption. AI algorithms predict optimal nutrient application and irrigation cycles, minimizing resource waste and promoting healthier plant growth. This precision farming aims to overcome climate challenges that necessitate importing up to 80 percent of fresh produce.
Beyond technological advancement, the system emphasizes environmental sustainability through a closed-loop fertigation process that recycles water and nutrients. Dynamic AI lighting controls also optimize energy usage by leveraging off-peak electricity rates. The ultimate goal is to create a robust, domestically grown fruit supply, potentially paving the way for similar solutions for other produce.
