By James Means, European Channel Manager – Intelligent Grid, IGS

Wonky veg is having a moment, and quite rightly. Traditional food producers, tired of the wastage caused by retailers’ obsession with poker straight carrots, perfectly spherical apples and non-nobbly potatoes, have fought back in recent years, arguing that despite their imperfect shape these ingredients deliver just as much in terms of taste and nutrition as their more aesthetically-pleasing counterparts.

For traditional agriculture, this remains as true as ever. However to support our growing global population, there is a greater need than ever before to guarantee food security. As such, the repeatability of growing techniques has come under the spotlight.

Repeatability isn’t about aesthetics: it is beginning to be recognised as occupying as significant a place in agriculture as it might in the production of the latest iPhone or the manufacture of a new car.  The adoption of more intelligent crop monitoring technologies is the first step towards improving agriculture outcomes.

IGS’ patented Intelligent Grid provides an energy efficient power and broadcast platform to do just this and using extensive experience gained from our award winning and revolutionary vertical farm solutions, we can offer solutions for any type or scale of indoor growing.

Focusing on data and agronomy management technology, alongside basic digitisation to leverage data analysis will help all agribusinesses meet both their short and long-term goals. Using lower power, more efficient and controllable lighting alongside more intelligent watering systems for instance are just a few of the tangible benefits available.

These systems will never replace traditional agriculture, but rather should work alongside it to balance the pressing need for increased food security and output.