September 2020 - 32

MANAGEMENT
Greenberg, CEO of iUNU. " We are able to predict
yields with three times more accuracy half way
through the growth cycle. "
The added time allows organizations to
presell expected inventory or surplus and
minimize waste.
AI FOR SPACE AND RESOURCE
UTILIZATION
Another benefit of AI is the optimization
of real estate and inputs within facilities. For
instance, computer vision can ensure that
light is not wasted by recognizing foliage gaps
and presenting opportunities to maximize
space utilization.
Space utilization issues resulting from
manual observation and planning can cost
organizations up to 10% of potential added
revenue - even two additional plants per
bench would make a significant difference for
a crop that turns six times per year.
Computer vision AI has a detailed memory.
It can see how plants change on a day-to-day
basis and how certain crop cycles compare
to others. As growers change their recipes,
macro and minute changes are recorded
and measured, not only over time, but also
against previous yields at the same stage of
a current crop cycle. When certain plants are
underperforming, growers have enough time
to make changes before a harvest to optimize
the space for profit.
With increased
revenue and efficiency,
indoor facilities
maximize sales and
minimize shrink.
FUELING THE GROWTH BOOM IN CEA
Computer vision can help CEA with pest and
disease detection, accurate yield forecasting
and the maximization of space utility.
With big box customers driving prices down
and the cost of labor continuing to increase,
growers will soon rely on the increased growth
and predictability that precision farming
brings so that CEA can function as reliably
as manufacturing.
Not only is AI becoming an economic
necessity, but it also promises to support
a positive shift in the food industry. With
increased revenue and efficiency, indoor
facilities maximize sales and minimize shrink.
With increased profit they can also build closer
to urban areas and increase the accessibility
of locally grown, healthy food for consumers.
Finally, with a reduced reliance on manual
or repetitive labor, as well as recorded tribal
knowledge, recipes can be optimized and
resource utilization right-sized for generations
to come.
" AI will drive it all, " says Gabriel Youtsey,
chief innovation officer at University of
California, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
" On the production side, the goal is trying to
control and understand all the environmental
factors that will help empower the plant itself.
Using AI, over time we will get very good at
learning what the plant needs and when it
needs it, so the plant can give us the yield
and quality factors that we are looking for.
At the end of the day I think it will be crop
quality, nutrition, sustainability and yield all
together. "
Carl Silverberg is senior vice president of outreach
and public affairs for iUNU and can be reached at
csilverberg@iunu.com.
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September 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2020
