Are you among those who don’t mind lettuce in their burger? Do you enjoy the crisp and refreshing taste of lettuce in your meals?
If yes, then here’s some pleasing news. Cukurova University in Turkey is focusing on the development of an innovative way of growing lettuce using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. It is a horizontal lettuce production system that uses advanced AI algorithms to optimize crop yield and quality.
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Cukurova University in Turkey is currently in the process of creating an AI-powered horizontal system for producing lettuce. This study aims to identify the optimal climatic conditions for growing lettuce and generating high yields in the shortest amount of time. The project also provides an impressive water savings rate of 95-98%.
The project, titled "Optimizing Model Plant Lettuce Production Techniques with Artificial Intelligence," is being conducted by a team of 10 individuals at Cukurova University’s closed vertical R&D facility. This initiative, in collaboration with a company, was launched in September 2022 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM). The team is utilizing soilless agriculture techniques and multi-story shelves to grow lettuce.
Method of AI-Enabled Lettuce Production System
This innovative method of lettuce cultivation involves placing the plants horizontally on trays, allowing for maximum use of space and efficient use of resources. With the help of AI, the system is designed to adjust the light, temperature, and humidity levels of the growing environment to ensure optimal growth conditions for the lettuce.
At the facility, the team combines data collected from studying various LED lighting combinations, photoperiod (plant development depending on day length), and varying temperature and humidity levels with artificial intelligence. These factors are analyzed to develop production models in different combinations, resulting in an impressive water savings rate of 95-98%.
Prof. Dr. Hayriye Yildiz Dasgan, a lecturer at the Cukurova University (CU) Faculty of Agriculture's Department of Horticulture, stated that the project had enabled them to offer aquaculture in plant factories or closed vertical farming facilities with completely controlled environmental conditions. The project has provided valuable insights into the potential benefits of using AI technology in agriculture and its ability to optimize plant growth while conserving valuable resources such as water.
Moreover, according to the BIS Research report, the global artificial intelligence in agriculture market was valued at $1.51 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $4.09 billion in 2027, following a CAGR of 21.98% during 2022-2027.
Owing to the growing demand for food, the growth in artificial intelligence in the agriculture market is expected to be driven by the increasing adoption of digital and smart agriculture equipment and technologies.
Importance of AI in Agriculture
Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important tool in agriculture, with the potential to revolutionize the industry by optimizing crop yields, reducing the environmental impact of farming practices, and improving resource efficiency. Here are some of the key reasons why AI is so important in agriculture:
Precision Farming: AI technology can help farmers to gather real-time data about their crops, soil, and weather conditions, enabling them to make more informed decisions about when and how to plant, fertilize, irrigate, and harvest their crops. This can lead to significant improvements in crop yields and quality.
Resource Efficiency: By using AI-powered systems to optimize resource use, farmers can reduce waste and improve efficiency in their operations. For example, AI can help farmers to use water more effectively by predicting when and how much to irrigate based on weather and soil conditions.
Disease and Pest Control: AI can help farmers to detect and respond to potential pest infestations and diseases early on, reducing the need for costly and environmentally damaging pesticides and other chemicals.
Increased Automation: AI can also enable increased automation in farming operations, reducing the need for manual labor and allowing farmers to focus on higher-level tasks such as decision-making and strategy.
Climate Change Adaptation: As climate change continues to impact agriculture, AI can help farmers to adapt to changing conditions by providing real-time data on weather patterns, soil health, and crop growth.
The agriculture industry is experiencing a rising global demand for high-quality food and grains, which has led to a shift toward digital, intelligent, and data-driven equipment. This transition presents substantial sales and financing opportunities for businesses in the sector.
Conclusion
The agriculture sector stands to gain immense benefits from the integration of AI technologies. AI has the potential to analyze vast amounts of data, including weather patterns, crop yields, and soil conditions to make predictions and optimize crop growth. This can result in increased crop yields, reduced waste, and enhanced efficiency for farmers.
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