State of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Market A Qualitative Evaluation of Market Development and Operating Actors’ Needs
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Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Modellbyggare
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Sammanfattning
The purpose of this thesis was to assess the current state of the Controlled Environment
Agriculture (CEA) market. It aimed to identify the factors that drive
or hinder the market’s development and explore how Ericsson can offer solutions
that address the specific needs and challenges faced by industry participants. The
study employed an inductive approach, utilizing qualitative data collection methods
through interviews with CEA market actors, to identify underlying needs, obstacles,
and drivers.
The analysis yielded three key results: the current state of the market, actors’ needs
and requirements, and implications for Ericsson. Environmental, financial, and
political factors were identified as significant factors influencing the development
of the market. Among the identified factors, environmental considerations, such
as land use, water consumption, and climate change, were found to be key drivers
for market development. However, challenges related to energy consumption and
financial barriers emerged as obstacles hindering market growth. Furthermore, the
study also identified 11 core needs among actors, grouped into 6 main categories: data
collection, automation, parameter control, data transfer, financial, and energy. The
implications for Ericsson indicate that the current market phase prioritizes product
innovation over process efficiency, rendering Ericsson’s existing solutions such as 5G
less relevant for actors operating in the market. Rather actors are currently focused
on developing their own products as opposed to adopting advanced automation or
IoT systems.
CEA systems holds promise as potential solutions to global food production challenges,
both in terms of yield efficiency and environmental impact. However, obstacles related
to energy consumption, financial viability, consumer acceptance, and regulatory
frameworks impede progress and must be addressed before the potential benefits
can be obtained. A comprehensive approach involving policymakers, industry actors,
technology providers, consumers, and research institutions is essential to fully unlock
the potential of CEA in addressing the global food production crisis.
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Ämne/nyckelord
Controlled Environment Agriculture, Ericsson, Needs, Obstacles, Drivers