OMARFRA

This interview details OMARFRA, a company based in Canada. The interview is with Fadi Al-Daoud, Greenhouse Vegetable Specialist of OMARFRA.

Source: OMARFRA

What is the background on what OMARFRA does? 

My role as the Greenhouse Vegetable Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is to support vegetable and fruit production in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems such as greenhouses and vertical farms. I work with greenhouse and vertical farmers, researchers, and industry to improve the efficiency of these production systems through research and education and training. You can find articles and recorded presentations on our blog (ongreenhousevegetables.ca).

Source: OMARFRA

What does your research focus on? 

Most of my research is performed on-farm. I collect data from commercial greenhouses and vertical farms in Ontario. Recently, my research has focused on characterizing natural and artificial lighting environments and mapping the microclimates in greenhouses and vertical farms. I have also compared water disinfection systems that are currently used for recirculating fertigation in greenhouses and vertical farms. Furthermore, I have also reviewed the scientific literature on a number of other topics including carbon dioxide enrichment in CEA.

Source: OMARFRA

What are your thoughts in CO2 usage in indoor farms? 

You can find my article on the use of carbon dioxide enrichment in CEA on our blog (Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Enrichment in Controlled Environment Agriculture – Is it always a good idea? – ONGreenhouseVegetables). It outlines the latest research on the benefits and drawbacks of CO2 enrichment in CEA. Overall, CO2 enrichment boosts food production if it is used in the right way.

Source: OMARFRA

Energy is a big topic in indoor farming right now. How can farms be more efficient with energy usage? 

Greenhouse and vertical farmers can be more energy efficient by monitoring the performance of their equipment on a regular basis. This will ensure that lights and HVAC systems are working at their optimum rate and they are being maintained regularly. Greenhouses and vertical farms should also ensure that their building structures are as energy-efficient as possible. Researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Harrow Research and Development Centre are working on new long-photoperiod low-intensity lighting recipes that can be more energy efficient and require less lighting fixtures than traditional lighting recipes. You can find a recent article that I co-authored on this topic on our blog (Finding the Right Light Recipe – ONGreenhouseVegetables).

Source: OMARFRA

How can people connect with you or learn more about Ontario Ministry of Agriculture or your research?

You can stay updated on my activities by subscribing to our blog (ongreenhousevegetables.ca).

Source: OMARFRA

Asia Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"For a target audience that is trying to understand the basics of vertical farming, this is a quality newsletter to subscribe to"

- James Pateras, CEO, Modular Farms Australia

North America Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download The Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"The North America Vertical Farming Companies Report 2023 aggregates many sources of public information on many different companies so that you don't have to do the research yourself, it's worth the money and saves a lot of time"

- John Ireland, CEO, NTP Technologies

Europe Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Helen Andrew Spare Harvest

"As a business development manager supporting the indoor agriculture, CEA, and food tech industries, I can say Urban Vine guides and their insider newsletter provide detailed information often difficult to find online."

- Irena Lundberg, CleanTech Invest Stockholm

Middle East Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"As a marketing professional in the indoor agriculture industry, Urban Vine's newsletters, reports and guides are an excellent resource for keeping up-to-date with news and developments in vertical farming."

- Steven Mitchell, Product Manager, Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) UK

All Indoor Farming Company Interviews

SMARTKAS

December 11, 2023

This interview details SMARTKAS, an Agrotech Solutions Provider based in the Netherlands. The interview is with David Meszaros, Founder & CEO of SMARTKAS. To learn more about SMARTKAS and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Delphy

December 7, 2023

This interview details Delphy, an indoor farming consulting company based in the Netherlands. The interview is with Laura S. Bautista, Project Leader - Vertical Farming at Delphy. To learn more about Delphy and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Ceres Greenhouse Solutions

December 7, 2023

This interview details Ceres Greenhouse Solutions, a Residential & Commercial Greenhouse Solutions company based in the United States. The interview is with Christopher Uhlig, CEO / Owner of Ceres Greenhouse Solutions. To learn more about Ceres Greenhouse Solutions and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Berlin Farms

December 4, 2023

This interview details Berlin Farms, an indoor farming company based in Germany. The interview is with Vahik Soghom, Co-Founder of Berlin Farms. To learn more about Berlin Farms and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Corvus Drones

December 4, 2023

This interview details Corvus Drones, a Controlled-environment Agriculture (CEA) technology company based in the Netherlands.. The interview is with Frans-Peter Dechering, CCO & Founder of Corvus Drones. To learn more about Corvus Drones and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

LED iBond

December 8, 2023

This interview details LED iBond, an intelligent lighting solutions company based in Denmark. The interview is with Martin Løbel, CEO of LED iBond. To learn more about LED iBond and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Optima Planta

December 2, 2023

This interview details Optima Planta, an indoor farming company based in Sweden. The interview is with Lennart Sör, Founder/CEO of Optima Planta. To learn more about Optima Planta and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Lufa Farms

December 1, 2023

This interview details Lufa Farms, an indoor farming company based in Canada. The interview is with Callie Giaccone, Public Relations Coordinator of Lufa Farms. To learn more about Lufa Farms and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

MingaGreens

December 1, 2023

This interview details MingaGreens, an indoor farming company based in Germany. The interview is with Gernot Kleinberger, Co-Founder of MingaGreens. To learn more about MingaGreens and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

CAPSERO

January 16, 2024

This interview details CAPSERO, an indoor farming technology company based in Switzerland. The interview is with Fabio Cirillo, Founder & CEO of CAPSERO. To learn more about CAPSERO and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview