There are always opportunities to achieve improved business results or reduce risks in any horticulture or floriculture production venture with the help of technology and techniques. This can be achieved through increased production, better quality or cost reduction with higher efficiency. The market will appreciate good selection and grading, damage-free products with longer shelf-life and attractive presentation with value addition.

Investment in technology is often not a free choice but a necessity to stay competitive.

Technology (tools, equipment, facilities) can provide better conditions for the crop (climate and soil). These conditions can be controlled and manipulated with communication or automation systems. The data on conditions can be put against data on plant performance (photosynthesis, CO2 intake, evaporation rate, etc) and as such optimum growth can be achieved. This will happen in total environment-controlled-cultivation. Partial steps in the control of conditions may give substantial advantages. Know-how and knowledge of the grower is imperative to improve and maintain correct procedures, manual or automated.

Other technologies are labour-saving equipment and intern transport systems. In the post-harvest; mechanical or sensor-controlled selecting and grading of produce will lead to a high level of standardisation and product presentation. Conditions in storage and packing materials will help to put a superior product on the market.

All this is in continuous development, new introductions or adapting and updating the existing.