"Through this installation, Inagro will now be able to run R&D trails to compare hybrid and open field production to compliment other cultivation methods, not replace them," says Bart Naeyaert, Deputy of the West Flanders province of Belgium at the official opening of Inagro's latest hybrid cultivation system, supplied by Urban Crop Solutions.
Bart Naeyaert and Maarten Ameye officially opening the ceremony by turning on the hybrid tower
Proudly sharing that this is a project, run by a cluster of West-Flanders companies, Bart emphasizes on the importance of combining expertise at any level. "The push to innovate in food production is always present, therefore we aim to further collect data and develop the science around this project for both indoor, and outdoor growers to benefit from it."
Mia Demeulemeester (Director of Inagro), Maarten Ameye (Researcher at Inagro), Bart Naeyaert (Deputy of the West Flanders province), Jean-Pierre Coene (CEO) and Maarten Vandecruys (COO) at Urban Crop Solutions
Hybrid twist
The hybrid model, retrofitted to the existing greenhouse that had leftover space, currently touches 12 meters and can be altered on the go. Currently, the tower holds 16 benches consisting of 8 layers used for lettuce cultivars, using various irrigation and substrate resources.
"In collaboration with the University of Ghent, we're exploring the potential of this hybrid system. By developing a digital twin, we will be able to analyze which growing elements, such as light and irrigation, might need improvement. On top of that, we'll be able to gather loads of data to boost further research, illustrating the role of Agrotopia perfectly as a bridge between practical knowledge and research," says Maarten Ameye, Researcher at Inagro. Research done in-house will be used to boost the current horticulture sector to boost crop yields and cultivation efficiency.
Jean-Pierre Coene seen introducing Urban Crop Solution's role in the project
"It's our job to retrieve the most energy out of the existing elements and what better than to do this in an existing greenhouse with sun as a free resource. We like to take this moment to introduce our new core of indoor farming. Not only are we working with alternative products like algae, but also more focusing on the custom-made projects," says Jean-Pierre Coene, CEO of Urban Crop Solutions.
The in-house developed LEDs are illuminating on the plants from one direction only, to make sure it's receiving the right amount of photons throughout its growth cycle. Yet, finding the optimal growing and nutrient recipe, is one of the objectives of the research which in the near future, more will be shared about. Through a sensor, the sunlight density is measured and through that analysis, either light will be supplied or lowered.
Once the system is fully validated and successfully ran its first trials, two more towers will be added to the facility. "Through this project we want to showcase that synergies like these, an existing greenhouse and a vertical setup, do work! The ultimate aim is to increase the productivity and profitability of any kind of horticulture setup," Jean-Pierre shared proudly.
For more information:
Inagro
Ieperseweg 87
8800 Rumbeke-Beitem
Tel: 051 27 32 00
[email protected]
www.inagro.be
Urban Crop Solutions
[email protected]
www.urbancropsolutions.com