Introduction
The future of agriculture lies in technology-driven, climate-resilient, and efficient farming systems. As Indian farmers increasingly adopt protected cultivation, learning from global leaders in greenhouse technology has become more important than ever.
With this vision, Mr Hitesh Limani, founder of Agrodome Projects LLP, recently visited Australia on a knowledge-driven greenhouse learning tour arranged by Priva. The objective was to gain firsthand exposure to advanced greenhouse automation, innovative cultivation techniques, and long-term system performance across commercial farms.
This visit offered valuable insights into how precision automation and protected cultivation structures work together to deliver consistent yield, superior crop quality, and operational sustainability.
Why Global Learning Matters in Greenhouse Farming
Greenhouse farming is no longer limited to structures alone. It now involves:
- Crop-specific technology integration
- Automation-driven irrigation and climate control
- High-efficiency cultivation systems
- Long-term operational reliability
Australia, being a leader in commercial greenhouse farming, floriculture, herb cultivation, and berry production, provides valuable lessons that can be adapted to Indian conditions.
Visit 1: Randbiz Farm – Gerbera Cultivation in Polyhouse
The first visit was to Randbiz Farm, a well-established polyhouse dedicated to gerbera flower cultivation. The farm stood out not just for its scenic natural surroundings but also for the exceptional quality of flowers produced.
Key Observations:
- Uniform blooms with vibrant colours
- Excellent stem strength and flower consistency
- Highly maintained polyhouse environment
What truly impressed was the Priva automation system installed in 2008, which continues to deliver precise and reliable performance even after more than 15 years of operation. This clearly demonstrated how robust greenhouse automation systems play a crucial role in ensuring long-term productivity in floriculture.
Takeaway:
Automation, when implemented correctly, becomes a long-term asset rather than a recurring expense.
Visit 2: Nursery Facility & Riverdale Herbs Farm – Greenhouse Cultivation
Advanced Nursery with Automation Support
The second visit focused on a modern greenhouse nursery producing healthy vegetable seedlings and ornamental plants for farmers. Supported by Priva automation, the nursery showcased:
- Uniform plant growth
- Strong root development
- High survival rates during transplanting
This highlights the importance of controlled environments in nursery preparation, which directly impacts crop success at the farm level.
Riverdale Herbs Farm—NFT-Based Herb Cultivation
The visit continued to Riverdale Herbs Farm, where a variety of herbs are cultivated inside greenhouses using the NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system.
Crops grown include:
- Basil
- Coriander
- Parsley
- Mint
- Microgreens
Here, Priva systems manage irrigation and nutrient delivery, ensuring precise water use, optimal nutrient absorption, and consistent crop quality.
Takeaway:
Greenhouse herb cultivation, combined with NFT systems and automation, offers high efficiency, reduced water consumption, and premium-quality produce—making it an ideal choice for commercial farming.
Visit 3: Perfection Fresh Farm – Raspberry Cultivation in High Tunnels
The final visit was to Perfection Fresh Farm, renowned for its raspberry cultivation under high-tunnel structures. This farm provided a complete view of the raspberry production cycle.
What Made This Visit Unique:
- Baby plants, young plants, and mature fruiting plants are visible simultaneously
- Harvest-ready raspberry plants alongside empty tunnels prepared for the next plantation cycle
- Clear demonstration of crop planning and cycle management
The Priva automation system installed in 2016 continues to perform with excellent consistency, reinforcing the importance of reliable automation in large-scale berry farming.
Takeaway:
High tunnels combined with automation enable growers to manage sensitive crops like raspberries efficiently while maintaining quality and yield.
Key Learnings from the Australia Greenhouse Tour
This global learning experience reinforced several core principles of modern protected cultivation:
- Importance of greenhouse and high tunnel structures tailored to specific crops
- Role of automation-driven irrigation and climate control in achieving consistency
- Value of crop-specific technology integration for long-term success
- Proven durability and performance of automation systems over many years
These insights are directly relevant to Indian greenhouse farming, especially for high-value crops such as flowers, herbs, berries, and nursery plants.
How These Learnings Benefit Indian Farmers
By adopting similar approaches in India, farmers can achieve the following:
- Higher yield per square meter
- Improved crop uniformity and quality
- Reduced dependency on manual operations
- Better resource efficiency (water, nutrients, labour)
- Predictable and profitable farming outcomes
At Agrodome Projects LLP, these global insights help us design polyhouses, nethouses, high tunnels, and customised greenhouse structures that are practical, scalable, and profitable for Indian conditions.
Conclusion
The Australian greenhouse learning tour was a powerful reminder that the future of agriculture lies in knowledge, technology, and adaptability. Observing real-world applications of automation and protected cultivation has strengthened our commitment to bringing global best practices into Indian farming.
As greenhouse farming continues to evolve, such international exposure plays a vital role in helping farmers move toward sustainable, high-performance, and future-ready agriculture.
[greenhouse farming, protected cultivation, greenhouse automation, polyhouse farming, high tunnel farming, herb cultivation in greenhouse, floriculture farming, nursery greenhouses, NFT system farming, berry cultivation, smart farming, Agrodome Projects LLP]
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