Tools of Renewal: Technology and the Modern Farm
Rethinking Technology in Sustainable Agriculture
Technology and modern equipment are not inherently at odds with sustainability. At Aldka Farm, we have learned that when applied thoughtfully, technology can be a powerful enabler of regeneration. It gives us insight, expands our capacity, and allows us to be more responsive to the rhythms of nature rather than overriding them. This article is not an exhaustive list of tools or techniques—but a reflection on the few that have made a profound difference in how we operate our farm and our business.
1. Machines That Support People
Let’s begin with the farm. Date cultivation is inherently labor-intensive. The cycle of dethroning, pollination, thinning, and harvesting demands not only time, but significant physical effort—and with it, risk.
Our adoption of front loaders was initially a practical decision to improve efficiency. But the true benefit was greater than that. By adapting the loaders to each task, and by involving our farm staff in customizing the attachments and workflow, we not only improved speed—we significantly improved safety. We’ve had no accidents on the farm, and that is something I am deeply proud of.
A great deal of credit here goes to Engineer Youssef Ghanmi, who is responsible for the farm operations and has played a key role in implementing and optimizing the use of machinery on the ground. His problem-solving mindset and close collaboration with the team have been pivotal.
2. Bags That Do More Than Protect
For years, we used a standard, locally available punch bag to protect our dates from insects and infestations. It did the job. But gradually, we noticed side effects: dryness, discoloration, even fungal issues.
A visit to the date groves of Yuma, Arizona changed our understanding. There, I was introduced to a variety of bagging solutions, each designed to solve specific problems—from sun protection to humidity control. We returned with a fresh perspective and began experimenting with different bag materials, colors, and mesh sizes.
We found that varieties like Seqee, Ajwa, and Medjool responded better to bags with sun protection and controlled ventilation. Sukari, Kholas, and Khidri, on the other hand, needed more light and airflow. Polyester, polycotton, and polyethylene bags were each tested. Today, we use a selection tailored to each variety. Though imported from China and not inexpensive, these bags are reusable for 5 to 10 years and significantly add to the quality of our harvest.
KAUST is currently conducting formal studies on each type of bag we use. Their findings will help us and others make more informed choices grounded in science.
3. Listening to the Soil with Sensors
Perhaps the single most important change we’ve made in terms of sustainability is in how we irrigate. For too long, we watered blind—applying amounts based on intuition rather than evidence. But intuition, we discovered, often led to over-irrigation.
That began to change six years ago when we sourced moisture sensors from a German company called MMM. Each set included two sensors: one at 60 cm (target root zone) and one at 120 cm (beyond the zone). The choice of 60 and 120 cm sensors was “studied” but unproven choice. Now we know we do not have to go as deep as 120 cm to go beyond the critical root zone – 90 cm will suffice. Over time, we identified the refill point, stress point, and saturation point—and adjusted our irrigation schedule accordingly.
The results were dramatic: over 50% reduction in water usage, improved date quality, reduced over skin, better coloration, and elimination of fungal disease. But the MMM sensors had limitations—mainly connectivity and calibration.
That’s when an old college friend, Matthew Vogel, introduced us to Doktar, a company specializing in precision agriculture technologies. We piloted the technology and eventually installed 21 sensors across the farm. Our irrigation program is now being completely restructured, and KAUST is studying the sensors’ performance in our environment. This year’s harvest will offer another real-world test.
One of the most valuable lessons from this technology was counterintuitive: sandy soil retained water longer than clay soil. As a result, we now irrigate sandy areas twice a week and clay-heavy sections three times. Moreover, in sandy zones, we found that continuing high-volume irrigation into the coloring stage led to fruit that failed to ripen. This is likely due to excess moisture disrupting the concentration of sugars—an issue we are now actively managing.
4. Listening to the Land: Beyond Moisture
Moisture is only part of the story. We also use handheld instruments to measure:
EC (Electrical Conductivity): To monitor salinity.
pH levels: To manage acidity or alkalinity.
Soil compaction: To assess root zone accessibility and aeration.
These tools don’t replace observation. They complement it. They give us data points, but interpretation still relies on our team’s experience, instincts, and attentiveness to the rhythms of the land.
5. AI-Powered Grading and the Factory Evolution
In our processing plant, the most transformative technology has been our AI-enabled grading machine by Joysort. It has allowed us to significantly improve accuracy, efficiency, and product consistency.
Led by Waleed Nowshaid, our implementation of Joysort has been a learning journey. The machine now processes 2 tons per hour, and we continue to “teach” it to better recognize subtle differences in size, texture, and ripeness. One of the most impressive outcomes is that our grading now completes shortly after harvest, with far greater precision.
Joysort also prompted us to rethink our post-harvest workflow—from how we handle dates during harvesting to how we classify them for different markets. It’s not just about automation—it’s about insight.
None of this would be possible without our grading team, led by Kailash, Raveendra, Vinood, Manoj, Minajuddin and Wali, whose leadership, work ethics, attention to details and consistency puts the final polish on everything that leaves our facility.
6. Innovation in Progress: The Pitting Machine
Keyword: date pitting technology
We’re currently working on a custom pitting machine in collaboration with Ashlock Company, a U.S.-based leader in pitting technology. Our goal is to adapt their system to meet the specific requirements of our dates and can set a new industry standard.
Usman Saeed, working alongside Waleed, has been deeply involved in this initiative. The work is ongoing, but the potential impact—on productivity, hygiene, and product quality—is immense.
Ashlock’s long history and technical expertise, especially with delicate fruit pitting systems, makes them an ideal partner. Together, we hope to build something that not only serves Aldka but can support other farms in the region.
7. A Broader Partnership: KAUST and Applied Research
Our collaboration with KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) is not limited to irrigation sensors or bag trials. They are now conducting applied research into male pollinators, fertilization regimes, and other factors affecting productivity and sustainability in arid date farming.
They have a program with the Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture as well as with the National Palm & Date Center to do a number of applied research projects across the country. This partnership has opened doors for knowledge exchange, validation, and potentially broader policy insights for farming in similar climates.
8. Reflections: The Tool Is Not the Enemy
Technology is not the enemy of sustainability—lack of understanding is. We have found that tools, when used wisely, can help us listen better, act more precisely, and respond more humanely to the land’s needs.
This is not about mechanization for its own sake. It is about being curious, responsive, and humble. Every tool we’ve adopted—whether a sensor, a front loader, or a grading system—was chosen because it helped us do something fundamental: take better care of the farm.
We are still learning. We make mistakes. But we are slowly weaving together the ancient and the modern, intuition and analysis, people and machines—into something uniquely Aldka.