How Horticulture Can Benefit From the Internet of Things
Many greenhouse growers and garden centers might be wondering how the Internet of Things (IoT) applies to wholesale growing and the horticulture industry.
In a recent blog post, the HC Companies team notes that IoT is a fancy way of saying that things are connected through Wi-Fi or the internet to exchange data.
In fact, many of us are already using items classified as IoT: Kitchen appliances, thermostats, baby monitors, cars, and even virtual assistant technologies.
Oracle, a multinational computer technology corporation, reports that there are about 10 billion connected IoT devices today, and experts predict there will be 22 billion by 2025.
But how, and more importantly, why would the horticulture industry utilize IoT technologies in its operations?
As with most industries, the horticulture industry has faced many challenges during COVID-19, most noticeably with the continual struggle to secure reliable labor. The utilization of more automation in growing operations, from autonomous irrigation control to the latest precision farming technologies, is no longer a far-off dream but a reality for many growers.
Wholesale growing containers, in which many are automation friendly, are a critical part of the growing process that often involves the most significant labor demands. IoT technologies are now being designed and are readily available to help support growers through more autonomous operations.
The Internet of Things has already infiltrated many areas of our lives, and the horticulture industry is not immune to the benefits such technologies will bring.
Learn more here.
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