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Japan: Using computers to grow the ideal tomato

Food processor Kagome, known for its ketchup and pasta sauce, is a major grower of tomatoes in Japan and has introduced an IT system that keeps the manufacturer stocked with its main ingredient year-round.

Kagome operates four large-scale tomato farms across the country, and another is under development in Nagano Prefecture, in central Japan, which is scheduled to open in about two years.

All of the locations have introduced, or plan to introduce, a unified control system that optimizes the growing conditions to be similar to a tomato's natural environment.

While humans tend to the trimming of leaves and flowers as well as harvesting, the cultivation control system creates the ideal environment for the trees to grow.

The system adjusts the temperature, humidity and exposure to sunlight by automatically opening and closing windows. It also controls the water-pipe heating system and optimizes the amount of water-soluble fertilizer added to the soil.

Read more at Nikkei Asian Review
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