Agro Care’s Innovative Approach to Greenhouse Operations with Source

Agro Care (previously Combivliet) has been a leader in innovative greenhouse operations since the 1950s. They are consistently seeking new ways to improve their greenhouse operations. With over 96 hectares of tomato cultivation, Agro Care Noordvliet stands out for its extensive use of technology and data-driven approaches to optimize crop yields. This case study explores how Agro Care Noordvliet has partnered with Source.ag to enhance its operations, focusing specifically on Source Track and Source Irrigation Control solution. Continue reading to discover how Agro Care’s approach is shaping the future of greenhouse agriculture.

Growing Together at Agro Care

Agro Care’s large-scale operations are a distinctive feature in the greenhouse industry. With 96 hectares of tomatoes cultivated across eight 12-hectare greenhouses in Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, the company is well-positioned to leverage the power of data and automation. One of their unique approaches is fostering collaboration and growth among employees, which is reflected in their company slogan, "Growing Together." By encouraging continuous improvement in tomato cultivation, the company ensures that its workforce remains engaged and sharp, striving to deliver the best results possible.

Data-Driven and Innovative Operations

A key focus of Agro Care’s operations is the integration of data to drive decision-making. Historically, growers had to manage multiple data points through individual spreadsheets, often stored in different formats and locations. This approach was not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. The partnership with Source.ag helped Agro Care transform this process by integrating all data streams—labor, climate, and crop monitoring—into a single, easy-to-use platform.

By using Source Track, Agro Care has turned disparate data sets into actionable information that can be used to improve crop yields and overall greenhouse performance. Lars van Baar, a ten-year veteran in greenhouse growing and a cultivation manager at Agro Care, highlights how Source.ag’s tools have made it easier to make sense of the vast amounts of data generated daily: “With tools like Source Irrigation Control, growers can now make precise adjustments to irrigation schedules based on real-time data, which ensures optimal water usage even in rapidly changing weather conditions.”

The primary goal of implementing these data-driven tools is to optimize production while reducing manual labor and oversight continuously. Through automation, the company aims to improve consistency and reduce the need for growers to monitor the system manually throughout the day. This leaves more time for growers to focus on strategic improvements and other aspects of cultivation.

Agro Care’s operational focus is clear: to produce high-quality tomatoes efficiently. By leveraging technology such as Source Irrigation Control, the company aims to fine-tune water usage based on real-time environmental factors. The combination of climate data, plant growth data, and automated irrigation control ensures that every plant receives the ideal amount of water at precisely the right time. This focus allows the company to achieve "champion-level" results in tomato production, an ambition that aligns with its culture of continuous improvement.

Working Together with Source.ag  

The partnership between Agro Care and Source.ag was born from a need to turn vast amounts of raw data into meaningful insights. Agro Care required a partner who could help them streamline their operations and make sense of the extensive data they were collecting daily. Source.ag’s focus on converting data into actionable insights and automating certain greenhouse operational processes turned out to be a perfect match.

Thanks to continuous feedback and insights from industry leaders like Agro Care, Source.ag has been ensuring it addresses the most pressing challenges of growers worldwide. Agro Care, in turn, gains access to cutting-edge technology that improves the efficiency and effectiveness of its greenhouse operations.

Future Goals and Challenges

Agro Care has been an ambitious enterprise since the 1950s, and its ambitions aren’t going to stop anytime soon. The company recently merged with Agro Care, in what is historically the biggest consolidation of tomato greenhouses in the Netherlands, continuing under the name Agro Care. Combined, the area of both partners will approach 500 hectares. This growth will require further refinement of their data-driven strategies and automation tools.

One of the ongoing challenges is managing the complexity of operating at such a large scale. Ensuring that all systems are integrated and running smoothly requires continuous fine-tuning, especially as external conditions, such as climate, can change rapidly. 

Final Thoughts

Agro Care’s innovative approach to greenhouse operations and collaboration with Source.ag has set a new standard for tomato cultivation. By leveraging data-driven tools like Source Irrigation Control, the company has optimized water usage, improved crop yields, and reduced the time growers spend on manual irrigation adjustments. As Agro Care continues to grow, its focus on innovation and efficiency will ensure that it remains a leader in the greenhouse industry, overcoming challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in large-scale tomato production.

If you're interested in how your operations can benefit from similar innovations, explore Source.ag’s solutions today!