Technology Pushing Specialty Crop Industry Forward

Kevin Murphy, the CEO of Driscolls, spoke to the House Ag Committee about the future of the specialty crop industry noting that advanced technology not only is necessary, but inevitable.

Murphy said, one of the advances would take place at harvest.

“Advances in visual systems making mechanized harvesting a reality in the berry industry where visual systems identify when a berry is ready to be picked and then a mechanized harm snips the fruit and gently moves it from the field to inspection and packaging.”

This advancement would be critical in dealing with the labor shortages that are currently plaguing the agriculture industry.

Changes are also coming in how the crops are grown according to Murphy.

“Increasingly we’ll grow our berries in containers rather than directly in the soil. Tabletops will allow harvesters to pick strawberries an innovation that is good for both the farmer and the farmworker. Our hope is this will attract a larger pool of available workers.”