Key Takeaways
- Harvest Today is establishing a manufacturing facility in Chennai, India to support operations in Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
- The company is working on cost reduction strategies while maintaining product quality for broader market access.
- Partnerships with EcoBloom and Rooted Robotics focus on automation and precision agriculture solutions.
- A new open-source digital platform is in development to connect farmers, consumers, and healthcare professionals.
- The company projects 2025 to be its first year of positive cash flow, driven by operational expansions and new product strategies.
Manufacturing Expansion and Market Growth
In a recent episode of the Vertical Farming Podcast, hosted by Harry Duran, Rick Langille, CEO of Harvest Today (Profile), discussed the company’s latest expansion efforts. One of the primary initiatives involves setting up a manufacturing and distribution facility in Chennai, India to serve the Asian, Australian, and Middle Eastern markets more efficiently.
According to Langille, producing components locally in India will reduce costs and improve logistics, as opposed to manufacturing in North America and shipping internationally.
“From Chennai, India to Dubai is just a three-hour flight,” Langille noted. “Having operations in India allows us to manufacture and distribute directly within the region.”
This shift aligns with the company’s strategy to increase accessibility to vertical farming technology in new markets while improving cost efficiency.
Industry Trends and Adjustments
Langille highlighted current challenges in the vertical farming industry, particularly the need to diversify crop production.
“We’ve seen some companies focus heavily on a single crop, such as lettuce, which presents risks,” he said. “Our approach is to support a variety of crops, including leafy greens, strawberries, tomatoes, and peppers, to provide more flexibility to farmers.”
The company is continuing to explore ways to enhance farm efficiency and sustainability through a combination of agricultural engineering and market-driven product development.
Advancements in Automation and AI Integration
AI-Powered Crop Monitoring with EcoBloom
Harvest Today is collaborating with EcoBloom, a Swedish AgTech company specializing in AI-based plant monitoring. The system uses photochromic cameras to track plant growth, which can:
- Detect early signs of disease and nutrient deficiencies.
- Optimize watering and feeding schedules based on predictive models.
- Provide harvest timing estimates based on real-time growth data.
Robotics and Farm Automation with Rooted Robotics
Harvest Today is also working with Rooted Robotics to improve automation within farm operations. One of the new developments includes a washing system for Harvest Wall panels, designed to streamline cleaning and maintenance processes.
Langille sees automation as a key component of scaling indoor and controlled-environment agriculture.
Cost Reduction and Production Strategy at Harvest Today
A significant focus for Harvest Today in 2025 is reducing production costs while maintaining system efficiency.
- Key components will now be manufactured in India to lower costs and improve availability.
- Development of proprietary components, such as net cups, aims to reduce operational expenses for farmers.
- A new manufacturing facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will replace the current Colorado site, further optimizing cost and logistics.
“Moving some of our production to Tulsa allows us to lower expenses, which we plan to reflect in product pricing,” Langille explained.
The company expects these changes to increase adoption rates among small and mid-sized farms.
Digital Connectivity for Food and Agriculture
Harvest Today is also developing a digital platform designed to link farmers, consumers, and healthcare providers. The open-source system aims to:
- Facilitate local food access by connecting farms with consumers.
- Allow health professionals to integrate food recommendations into wellness programs.
- Serve as a marketplace for agriculture-related services and products.
Langille described the initiative as part of a broader movement to improve the connection between nutrition, farming, and consumer demand.
“There is a growing need for better integration between food production and healthcare,” he said.
Projected Growth for Harvest Today In 2025
Langille expects 2025 to be a key year for Harvest Today, with positive cash flow anticipated for the first time. Key areas of focus include:
- Expanding operations in the Middle East and India, with dedicated personnel overseeing projects in Dubai.
- Developing demonstration farms in Colorado and Canada to showcase the Harvest Wall system in different environments.
- Hiring additional team members, including a new CEO, to lead the next phase of growth.
“We’re positioning ourselves for long-term stability and growth,” Langille noted.
Harvest Today at Indoor Ag-Con 2025
At Indoor Ag-Con 2025 in Las Vegas, Harvest Today will present:
- A 20×20 booth displaying the Harvest Wall system.
- A live strawberry-growing demonstration, featuring 200 plants in a compact space.
- Updates on automation and AI integration in vertical farming.
A networking event will also be hosted, providing an opportunity for industry professionals to discuss partnerships, funding opportunities, and operational insights.
Additionally, the company is exploring new funding models to help small-scale farmers access financing.
“Access to capital remains a challenge for many farmers, and we’re evaluating potential solutions to support sustainable agriculture,” Langille said.
1 Comment