On a new episode of Lighting Up, Illumitex Director of Horticulture Science, Yan Ren-Butcher, Ph.D. believes the influx of technology into the farming space has revolutionized the way people manage crops and introduced the industry to a new era of digital technology. Investment from tech giants has accelerated innovation in the industry, taking lighting from simple emitters of heat to data-driven solutions.
“We call it data capture, every 10 minutes, 24/7, to help [farmers] monitor their plant growth no matter if they are inside or outside of the growth facility,” Ren-Butcher said. “Definitely all these technologies we’re aiming to help the grower.”
Because of the delicate nature of plants, no farmer has gone through a season without waste. With new technology not only designed to produce healthier crops but also allow for constant monitoring, the industry may finally be moving to a place of real efficiency. It all starts with the right light.