Executive Summary
Koidra joined hands with the Canada-based Great Lakes Greenhouse Inc. (GLG) to accelerate the yield of hydroponic cucumber and organic eggplant by 19.6% and 28.5%, respectively in 2022. Utilizing Koidra’s KoPilot Grow, GLG not only increased their yield significantly but also reduced the unit electricity cost.
About Great Lakes Greenhouse Inc.
Great Lakes Greenhouse Inc. (GLG) is a leading commercial greenhouse based in Leamington (Ontario, Canada) which has built its reputation on high-quality crop production. Today, it is one of the largest greenhouse operators in North America, especially in the growing of cucumbers and eggplants.
GLG owns the full circle of production from growing to packing and marketing its produce. It is committed to improving the greenhouse economy at scale, promoting sustainability, and actively seeking out relevant technological advancement.
As a trusted solution provider of intelligent automation, Koidra has enabled GLG to improve their crop production methods, delivering even greater value and quality to their customers.
Challenges
The primary challenge was to meet customer demand for cucumbers and eggplants while minimizing energy usage and labor time.
- Deliver exceptional production of sellable cucumbers and eggplants for GLG
- Manage multiple crops from a single dashboard
- Deliver higher yield than what normal growers can do while controlling climate 24/7
Koidra’s Solutions for Autonomous Greenhouse
Koidra’s Intelligent Automation Suite comprises of DataPilot and KoPilot Grow
- DataPilot provides a centralized platform to integrate on-site systems and manage operational data on the cloud.
- KoPilot Grow takes greenhouse automation to the next level.
The Koidra’s KoPilot zone and grower ’s-controlled zone were set up for trials with cucumbers and eggplants.
- Eggplant trial (APR 19 – OCT 25, 2022)
- Cucumber trial (SEP 26 – OCT 23, 2022)
Results & Benefits
Koidra’s autonomous growing solution demonstrated a significant yield increase in both trials.
- Trial 1: Eggplant trial (APR 19 – OCT 25, 2022)
- Our solution increased yield to 28.5% compared to the controlled zone.
- The unsellable eggplants were 10% lower compared to the controlled zone.
| Zone | KoPilot Zone | Controlled Zone | Yield difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sellable eggplants (kg/m2) | 21.5 | 16.7 | 28.5% |
| Unsellable eggplants | 1.96% | 2.11% | -0.15% |
- Trial 2: Cucumber trial (SEP 26 – OCT 23, 2022)
- Our solution increased yield to 19.6 % compared to the controlled zone.
- Our solution increased yield to 19.6 % compared to the controlled zone.
| Zone | KoPilot Zone | Controlled Zone | Yield difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cucumbers | 7.43% | 6.22% | 19.6% |
It’s even more significant that the yield increase was achieved with just better temperature, humidity, and CO2 control and no light.
Testimonials
“Great Lakes has been working with Koidra over the last couple of years. Koidra has customized a solution that is specific to our system and conditions. Through precision greenhouse management, Great Lakes targets to achieve total efficiency and sustainability. We can rely on Koidra to accelerate timely delivery of business objectives, continuously producing healthy food, and to empower our shareholders. We recognize that Koidra’s technology is the agricultural adaptation for commercial greenhouse.”
— Mark Reimer, Research and Business Development Manager, Great Lakes Greenhouse Inc.
“Great Lakes Greenhouses Inc, in partnership with Koidra Inc and the Harrow Research and Development Centre, is receiving $547,720 to use artificial intelligence to develop an autonomous grower technology that will enhance environmental sustainability, accelerate transition to year-round production, support crop diversification and improve long-term resiliency and competitiveness of the sector.”
— Ontario’s Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative [source]
“I think any grower is going to have a high degree of skepticism as they’re starting to look at this program. Every grower I’ve ever met has a passion for the industry, and they want to have a real strong understanding of what’s going on in their crops. The trusting of the technology and taking a step away is something that we’ve been able to alleviate by giving them new confidence that the tools are working for them,” Reimer says. “But there’s always a little bit of an innate hesitancy to cede any of that direct control. Over the course of time and developing a program to monitor, understand and utilize the tools, they end up looking at it as more of a valuable tool than a competition.”
— Mark Reimer, Research and Business Development Manager, Great Lakes Greenhouse Inc.
“We can see different metrics that Koidra has put together and we can evaluate those and learn from that. With optimization we’re always a yield-first focus, but when we can add a percentage of yield increase, while not increasing our greenhouse footprint, that’s where we really benefit from this technology.”
— Mark Reimer, Research and Business Development Manager, Great Lakes Greenhouse Inc.
About Koidra Inc.
Koidra Inc. is an autonomous control company whose software aids growers in boosting yields, reducing resources, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The software works with all existing climate computers.
Koidra achieved consecutive wins in the prestigious Autonomous Greenhouse Challenges (AGC) by Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. Outperforming experienced cultivators, the company achieved unparalleled yields through its AI solutions.
Koidra has secured grants from esteemed bodies, including the USDA, for its innovative work. By integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, and expert insight, the company has developed advanced and robust tools. These tools empower growers and manufacturers to realize production and sustainability goals while minimizing costs.
