A year after the launch on the market of the vertical farming solution Demetra, Greatit from Brescia makes a first assessment of its activities and, more generally, of a sector that can significantly contribute to the innovation of growing processes characterized by a low environmental impact and high resilience.
After 4 years dedicated to R&D, 14 customized Demetra containers were sold during the first year to be used for the cultivation of saffron, which can be obtained in only 37 days with a production of around 2 kg for each of its 9 annual cycles, as well as for the cultivation medicinal cannabis and other applications by various agricultural institutes in Brescia and Parma that train agronomists and growers.
Demetra's technological development concerned mainly the software for climate control via the web in order to make cultivation, irrigation, and fertigation as efficient and effective as possible. Demetra provides, in fact, detailed analyses and the extraction of water and energy consumption data with a simple and intuitive interface.
With Demetra, Greatit focuses on flexibility and quick installation to provide its clients with a tangible competitive advantage without forgetting the contribution to the circular economy deriving from the use of refrigerated containers that have reached the end of their life. Greatit has developed its own network of trainers to provide assistance to clients who have chosen the Demetra technology.
Daniele Bertocchi from Greatit
"We like to define ourselves as the Tesla of vertical farming. The technological components of our system guarantee quality and yields that help a very quick return on the investment considering the multiple special cultivations and, more in general, a germination phase sheltered from thermal and weather shocks," explains Daniele Bertocchi, CEO and founder of Greatit.
Demetra containers can be used in both manual and automatic modes. The first helps operators experiment and fully assess the cultivation experience, while the second constitutes a further simplification that gives more power to AI (guided by sensors), which can take agronomic and self-management decisions to optimize consumption and yields.
Forecasts for the vertical farming global market (or, more in general, of hydroponic or aeroponic soilless cultivation) show a growth exceeding 25% by 2030, with Europe and Italy at the forefront. The market is growing yet still immature, but it has collected financing from private investors located mainly in the US with 41 companies and around $238 million invested. These are significant figures that also guide the commercial development of Demetra, which recently took part in the Novel Farm Fair in Pordenone.
Greatit offers a turnkey package for the customized development and installation of the Demetra container with a consultancy and agronomic service that includes: analysis of needs, development, and submission of a project, search for suppliers of the specific components required, manufacture in one month thanks to the advanced R&D model, delivery with positioning, agronomic assistance (temperature, seeds...).
"With Demetra, we can supply an advanced system for the production of over 100 crops with a sustainable, scalable, and profitable model that can be applied where and when clients require it."
For more information:
Daniele Bertocchi
Greatit
Tel.: +39 3249034218
d.bertocchi@greatit.it
www.greatit.it