Kalera's new R&D director bets on sensing tech to push VF forward

Added on 21 June 2022

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Kalera's new R&D director bets on sensing tech to push VF forward

One company that grabbed headlines for leading the expansion of the vertical farming sector throughout 2021 was Kalera. In this transformational year, the company completed three acquisitions, increased their geographic footprint across three continents, and opened two new farms. These successes help affirm Kalera's increased global leadership in the CEA field and have allowed the team to increase operating ef?ciency with new seed and plant technology capabilities.

Crops growing at one of Kalera's vertical farming facilities; image sourced from Kalera

This year is set to bring greater victories for the Kalera team. Their continued expansion path has recently been secured through a ten-year, $30 million Senior Secured Credit Facility with Farm Credit of Central Florida. And in June, Kalera and Agrico are expected to complete their announced merger, effectively taking Kalera to NASDAQ.

Their strategy for growth involves integrating cutting-edge technology - the Internet of Things, the Cloud, Big Data analytics, and AI - to focus on enhancing efficiency and sustainability through automation.

Kalera's Global R&D Director, Lisanne Meulendijks, assessing plant health; image sourced from Kalera

Today, Kalera is pushing forward their commitment to innovation with the recent hire of Lisanne Meulendijks as their Global R&D Director. Agritecture interviewed Meulendijks to learn more about her journey to the role, and her takes on what the future has to hold for both Kalera and the CEA industry more broadly.

Editor's Note: The information above is derived from an interview between Agritecture and Lisanne Meulendijks, Kalera's new Global R&D Director.

Source: Agritecture