The agricultural sector faces mounting challenges, including over-farming, drought, nutrient loss, and a rising global population. To address these issues, Centurion-based NGA and Cape Town’s BMEC Technologies are pioneering data-driven solutions to make farming smarter, faster, and more sustainable.
Urban Farming: Preserving Nutrients, Reducing Waste
NGA’s urban farming solution addresses a critical issue: fresh produce loses 30% of its nutrients within three days of harvest. By growing crops closer to urban areas, the time from harvest to market is reduced to under 24 hours, ensuring fresher, nutrient-rich produce.
Key features of NGA’s solution:
- IoT-Driven Monitoring: Real-time oversight of tunnel operations, allowing for automated or remote interventions.
- Optimized Growing Conditions: AI determines the ideal frequency and concentration of nutrients, as well as ambient conditions like light and temperature.
- Water Efficiency: Enclosed systems minimize evaporation, reducing water and nutrient waste.
Making Farming Accessible with BMEC Technologies
BMEC Technologies focuses on integrating IoT into traditional farming equipment to enhance efficiency while remaining cost-effective. Founders Heidi Wilson and Raphael Smith prioritize solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by farmers, including:
- Harsh environmental conditions like extreme temperatures and corrosive chemicals.
- Remote areas with limited telecommunications access.
- Misconceptions about the cost and practicality of advanced technology.
BMEC creates low-cost IoT systems with user-friendly interfaces, enabling farmers to adopt modern solutions without disrupting existing equipment.
Overcoming Challenges in Agriculture
Both NGA and BMEC are committed to breaking down barriers in agricultural technology adoption:
- Cost Concerns: BMEC offers affordable solutions designed to integrate seamlessly with current equipment.
- Education: Simplified interfaces and practical demonstrations dispel myths about modern farming tools.
- Sustainability: NGA’s vertical farming tunnels increase growth rates, reduce waste, and enable out-of-season production.
Achievements and Future Goals
- NGA’s R&D Success: In 2019, NGA grew basil continuously for 12 months, producing 15,000 units of lettuce and basil in a space the size of a tennis court.
- Global Expansion: NGA is in advanced discussions to bring its urban farming solutions to a global market.
- BMEC’s Bi-Directional Bridge: By linking traditional farming with advanced software, BMEC continues to enhance competitiveness and create intellectual property for its clients.
A Sustainable Future for Agriculture
With innovative solutions like NGA’s urban farming tunnels and BMEC’s IoT-enhanced equipment, the future of farming is smarter, more sustainable, and better equipped to meet the challenges of a growing population. Together, these technologies are transforming the agricultural sector, ensuring fresh, nutrient-rich produce while reducing environmental impact.