The Future of Greenhouse Solutions is Here

“He is, after all, the only person in our economy who must buy everything he buys at retail, sell everything he sells at wholesale - and pay the freight both ways,” -- John F. Kennedy.

Greenhouses have brought a Silicon Valley-like mindset to the agriculture industry, using cutting-edge technology to help growers sustainably meet their bottom line and the needs of a growing population

The agriculture industry is evolving right before us. While endless fields of crops once represented the industry, visualizing the modern ag world now includes images of technologically advanced greenhouse solutions equipped with AI capabilities, sensors, and ultra-optimizing production systems, reducing environmental impact and adapting to the needs of all growers.

The Evolution of Greenhouse Solutions 

The adoption of greenhouses has progressively grown, especially in North America, as U.S. and Canadian farmers continue to face decreased land availability, supply chain issues, and challenging climates on top of a growing population. Add in the pandemic, which resulted in an urgent need for growing local, sustainable food, and growers were forced to look for future alternatives with unprecedented urgency.

By numbers alone, the appeal of greenhouses is clear. This report indicates that yields in commercial greenhouse projects increase by 10 to 12 times compared to open field growing.

And while barriers to entry exist, one report attributes the growth of the greenhouse market – expected to more than double from 2021 to 2030 - to an acceleration in technological innovation. A big reason is that technology has emerged that can automate to overcome agriculture's most pressing issues. Automation has helped greenhouse growers optimize their irrigation strategies, soil usage, energy usage, and pest control tactics.

Greenhouses also address one of the biggest challenges for all growers: a depleting water supply. Simply, greenhouses allow growers to grow more with less. For example, greenhouse technology has allowed for more precise irrigation methods, resulting in better control of resources, cost savings, and higher yields for growers. Studies show that greenhouses can reduce growers’ water savings up to 90%.

That doesn’t even include that greenhouses’ controlled climates that allow for year-round growth, allowing farms to thrive in new regions and making locally grown produce a new reality for many. Greenhouses will also create jobs and reduce transportation costs for out-of-market produce. Considering the benefits, the future of farming could not be more clear.

Gakon Netafim’s Approach to Greenhouses  

As greenhouses emerge as the future, Gakon Netafim is at the forefront of the industry. A leader in agricultural farming, Netafim is now combining over 50 years of expertise in the industry with 70 years of greenhouse expertise through Gakon. This combined expertise makes us one of the market's most specialized experts, offering high-quality glasshouse structures customizable to meet the needs of all growers and investors.

From design, engineering, feasibility studies, and project cycle assistance, Netafim guides all growers throughout the entire greenhouse production process. We have the institutional knowledge, the financial backing, and the technology all under one roof. No matter the stage they find themselves in, when they reach out to Netafim Gakon, we are able to fill any gaps and help bring projects to completion. We understand we are one piece of the puzzle and are always happy to work with third parties sharing our goal.

And as a leader in intelligent irrigation for sustainable agriculture, Gakon Netafim also offers state-of-the-art irrigation, automation, and fertigation systems that are guaranteed to boost yields using fewer resources. With this, growers are provided an investment that pays off in both the short-term and the long run.

Working Toward a Sustainable and Profitable Future

Pun intended, the greenhouse industry is healthy and growing thanks to the emergence of innovative technology in the industry. The increased appeal from all kinds of growers and green-forward investors shows a broad interest in expanding food security and putting less strain on our ever-depleting natural resources. And for growers, meeting their bottom lines will be less challenging, given greenhouses’ control and automation that allows for year-round production and enhanced land usage, resulting in a reduced risk of flooding, infestations, and other perils of field crops.

We expect future developments in greenhouse solutions will only build on our achievements so far, and Gakon Netafim stands ready to help growers, investors, and our ag industry partners develop the perfect greenhouse project for their needs.