QuantiFarm Demo Event in Finland: Digital Solutions Deliver Measurable Benefits for Greenhouse Growers
QuantiFarm successfully showcased the real-world value of digital agricultural technologies during a highly engaging Demo Event held in Närpiö, Finland. Exceptionally organised by project partner LUKE, the event attracted around 60 participants and generated strong interest across the greenhouse sector and beyond.
The audience reflected the diversity needed for meaningful exchange: greenhouse growers, advisors, and technical specialists were joined by researchers, technology developers, and representatives of sectoral organisations. Media presence further amplified the event’s reach, with journalists from local newspapers and grower magazines, as well as local television, attending the demonstrations and interviewing both researchers and test case growers. One of the event reports was published by the local newspaper Sydin.
The Demo Event was coordinated by LUKE experts Irene Vänninen, Liisa Pesonen, Susanne Heiska, and Esa Palmujoki, who also contributed as a subcontracted consultant to QuantiFarm’s test case activities.
From Data to Decisions: What the Results Showed
At the heart of the event were concrete results from the test case studies, clearly demonstrating how digital tools can improve both resource efficiency and economic performance in greenhouse tomato production. Presentations focused on the combined use of Signify’s dynamic LED lighting—capable of adapting light intensity to electricity prices—its GrowWise control system, and the Kathari ultrafiltration system for water disinfection.
The results were compelling. Significant reductions were observed in electricity and water consumption, alongside lower fertiliser use. These efficiency gains translated directly into reduced production costs per kilogram of tomatoes. The importance of these technologies became even more evident during the final study year, when the non-DAT reference grower introduced LED lighting on 50% of the greenhouse area. This hybrid lighting setup, combining LEDs with traditional high-pressure sodium lamps, immediately reduced electricity and water use per kilogram of produce, despite the absence of a water disinfection system.
Complementary analyses conducted by researchers from Politecnico di Milano provided insights into the ecological and social sustainability of the demonstrated technologies. Notably, dynamic LED lighting proved critical in maintaining winter production, even under the exceptionally high electricity prices experienced during the first study year.
Exploring Innovation at the Mini Fair
The Demo Event also featured a lively mini fair dedicated to digital and IoT-based solutions for greenhouse production. The QuantiFarm Toolkit was presented through short pitch talks alongside solutions from ten exhibiting companies. Among them were providers of the Kathari UF1 system, Signify’s LED lighting and GrowWise platform, and Delphy, which showcased its Quality Management System for tomato production.
Delphy’s representatives also visited the test case greenhouses and were particularly impressed by the ability to sustain high-level production under harsh winter conditions, surrounded by snow and ice. Several Finnish companies introduced additional digital solutions, many of which were entirely new to the participants.
The mini fair was one of the highlights of the day, offering attendees a hands-on opportunity to discover innovative tools, ask targeted questions, and assess their potential value for their own production systems.
QuantiFarm in Practice
Overall, the Finnish Demo Event vividly illustrated QuantiFarm’s core mission: supporting farmers and advisors with evidence-based insights into digital agricultural technologies. By combining robust data, practical demonstrations, and open dialogue among stakeholders, the event reinforced how digital solutions can enhance sustainability, resilience, and profitability in greenhouse production, today and in the future.