Mushrooms are an essential element of the diet of millions of people worldwide. They are tasty, rich in fibre and protein, and low in calories. But mushrooms quickly lose their freshness, leading to up to 30% wastage during cultivation, harvesting and transportation. This not only impacts farmers economically but also complicates the delivery of fresh mushrooms to remote areas.
Dr Wei Zhang and her team are collaborating with greenhouse mushroom growers, using technologies like sensors, data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to keep an eye on everything from the environment in the greenhouse to how each mushroom grows. Their system alerts them when it is time to harvest, greatly enhancing efficiency. It also optimizes water and energy use, saving precious resources. They’ve helped a small grower in NSW supply fresh mushrooms to Sydney’s eastern suburbs with just three staff members.