As Mexico's protected horticulture industry continues to evolve, growers like Ana Isabel González Borbolla believe efforts need to be made to strike a sustainable balance between advanced technology and skilled human labor. Based in central Mexico, Ana works as a Junior Grower, overseeing the cultivation of tomatoes, cucumbers, and occasionally peppers in climate-controlled greenhouse systems.
"I'm responsible for managing crop development through every stage, with a focus on coordinating labor teams and planning cultural tasks. My main area of expertise is plant nutrition and maintaining physiological balance to ensure healthy crops and high commercial performance."
Precision through physiology
Ana's specialty lies in managing the delicate interplay between vegetative and generative growth. She interprets plant signals daily and adjusts fertigation, pruning, defoliation, and irrigation strategies accordingly.
"Physiological balance is critical," she explains. "If a plant becomes too vegetative, it delays fruiting and lowers yield; if it's too generative, it weakens the plant. My role is to fine-tune our practices so the plant stays in its ideal state."
Her enthusiasm extends to climate control, a field she continues to explore. "Humidity, temperature, and light exposure management have such a profound impact on plant behavior. It's a complex field, but I find both exciting and essential for future innovation in greenhouse agriculture."
Innovation on the ground
Beyond day-to-day crop management, Ana is involved in several pioneering projects designed to optimize protected horticulture systems.
One such initiative focuses on sodium accumulation in the root zone. "We're studying how excess sodium can interfere with the uptake of essential nutrients like potassium and calcium," she notes. "By adjusting our fertigation strategy, we hope to prevent imbalances that could compromise crop quality."
She is also part of a multidisciplinary team developing a smart data platform. "We're working on an AI-driven application that centralizes data from the field (irrigation, crop tasks, pest activity) and turns it into real-time insights. It's about giving growers and supervisors a clear, actionable picture of what's happening in the greenhouse."
Another forward-looking project involves testing a crop forecasting robot. "It uses plant data and image analysis to estimate harvest volumes," Ana shares. "The goal is better planning, reduced waste, and improved coordination with sales teams. It's a step toward data-driven growing."
Daily refinement
At the same time, Ana and her team are refining existing practices. These include real-time substrate monitoring for EC, moisture, and drainage; precise defoliation to improve airflow; and integrated pest management strategies using light traps, reflective materials, and selective biopesticides.
"We're constantly adjusting our approach," she explains. "The key is to be responsive and consistent, especially in the face of unpredictable weather and biological pressure."
Challenges on multiple fronts
Indeed, climate variability is amplifying pest pressures, particularly from Frankliniella occidentalis and Tetranychus urticae. "Weather extremes are creating favorable conditions for pests, making control more challenging."
Labor presents another hurdle. "High staff turnover affects consistency. It means we're continuously training new workers, which adds complexity to maintaining quality standards."
On the commercial side, instability in tariffs and logistics, especially for exports to North America, adds another layer of difficulty. "Strategic planning is tough when market access and pricing fluctuate," she admits.
Meeting market demands and the way forward
Despite these challenges, the Mexican greenhouse sector is adapting to shifting consumer preferences. "There's growing demand for high-Brix, residue-free, and traceable vegetables," Ana says.
"Snack-size products with longer shelf life are especially popular. At the same time, buyers want transparency, sustainability, and evidence of good labor practices."
These expectations are prompting growers to rethink both their technical systems and their values. "We're not just producing food," she emphasizes. "We're producing trust."
As Mexico's protected horticulture sector develops, Ana believes the future lies in a hybrid approach: merging selective technology with human expertise.
"We see more automation in fertigation and climate systems, but I don't believe a full technological leap is around the corner," she says. "Many companies still prioritize job creation, and the cost of high-end systems remains a barrier."
For now, human labor remains central. "Technology should support, and not replace, our people," Ana concludes. "The rhythm of the crop still responds best to skilled hands and trained eyes. That's something no machine can fully replicate."
For more information:
Ana Isabel Gonzalez Borbolla
San Miguel de Allende,
Guanajuato, Mexico
[email protected]
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