German scientists, cooperatives and technology providers collaborate in the newly started 'inBerry' project to further develop a new cultivation method. Partnering up are Obst- und Gemüse-Absatzgenossenschaft Nordbaden eG and Obstgroßmarkt Mittelbaden eG with Fraunhofer UMSICHT.
The "inBerry" project, which has now been launched, focuses on a data-driven and year-round production method for indoor cultivation that is made even more efficient by the integration of innovative sensors. In collaboration with technology provider vGreens Holding Ltd, a new production method for the sustainable vertical cultivation of speciality crops - such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries - can be created.
Alongside apples, strawberries are one of Germany's favourite types of fruit. However, the strawberry harvest in Germany in 2024 is expected to be even smaller than in 2023, which was a very poor harvest year already. According to an initial estimate by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), farms are expecting a harvest of around 70,000 tonnes of strawberries in the open field. This would be the lowest harvest volume since 1995, 24 per cent below the strawberry harvest in 2023[1]. The reasons for this negative trend are the continued decline in the area under strawberry cultivation and crop failures due to weather events. The consequences of severe weather events are particularly noticeable in the fruit and berry business.
Greenhouse strawberries of ALTMARKTgarten in Oberhausen / Image: Fraunhofer UMSICHT.
Reducing the environmental impact
Ensuring the supply of fresh, high-quality food while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact also places a further burden on agricultural producers. Studies show that the focus in future should not be on further yield maximisation, but rather on reducing the environmental impact while maintaining the same yield. Uwe Schwittek from OGA Nordbaden eG, whose core business is the marketing of fruit and vegetables, agrees: "Our task is to continue to fulfil market demand in the future and provide an appropriate range of goods. Against the backdrop of socio-political requirements and the need for climate-neutral production, we are therefore looking into new, forward-looking production processes." One of these methods is indoor vertical farming - a form of controlled environment agriculture that offers a resource-efficient, space-saving and regional cultivation method directly where it is needed.
Specially customised light settings with regard to wavelength, intensity and exposure time as well as controlled environmental conditions are intended to enable the data-based indoor strawberry cultivation. / Image: vGreens
Increasing the efficiency of indoor cultivation
Until now, indoor vertical farming has mainly been used to grow lettuce and herbs. The production spectrum is now to be expanded as part of 'inBerry'. "In collaboration with vGreens Holding, which specialises in the data-based and AI-controlled production of strawberries, we are working on a production method for berries that is raised to a higher level by using optical sensor technologies to determine quality," explains Volkmar Keuter from Fraunhofer UMSICHT. "In the Indoor Farming working group, we are developing data-supported technologies to increase the efficiency of indoor cultivation," adds his colleague Dr Felix Thoma. The project is scheduled to run for several years and, in addition to data-driven strawberry cultivation, includes the development of new indoor cultivation systems for other fruits.
For more information:
https:// infarming.de