An update on protected agri tech for vegetable growing

Added on 15 August 2023

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An update on protected agri tech for vegetable growing

Sifting and sorting the proven tech from the hype in the protected agriculture arena can be daunting. We looked at what systems are being installed and talked to some experts to get their take on top tech for indoor vegetable growers.

Upgraded Lighting Systems

It likely comes as no surprise that lighting systems are discussed in nearly every technology article. For years, high-pressure sodium lighting was the solution to crop lighting needs. The increasing affordability of LED lights and new ways to use them change the equation.

“The industry is understanding better and better how to manage lighting without overlighting,” says Joe Swartz, Vice President of AmHydro, a leading controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) technology company.

Swartz explains that large-scale and small-scale growers are getting on board, utilizing the dynamic abilities of modern LED lighting to provide the right spectrum and the right daily light integral (DLI) at an economically viable threshold. The benefits can be more than a higher yield — a longer production season is also possible.