Westfalia Fruit to Unveil Immersive Digital Experience at 2023 Global Produce & Floral Show; Raina Nelson and Zelda van Rooyen Share
OXNARD, CA - Take a step into the future—the Orchard of the Future. Attendees of the Global Produce & Floral Show are invited to stop by Westfalia Fruit’s booth to take an experiential virtual trip to its 100th anniversary in 2049, using cutting-edge virtual reality technology to experience how sustainably managed avocado orchards will look in the future.
“We are thrilled to share with visitors insight into how avocado orchards may look in 2049 and how Westfalia’s investment today will shape the industry in the future,” shared Raina Nelson, Westfalia Fruit USA Chief Executive Officer and President. “The Orchard of the Future project at Westfalia Fruit is on a mission to redefine the future of avocado cultivation. Our commitment to research and development is unparalleled. Supported by our diverse global reach, we are in the unique position of being able to develop, test, and trial solutions in both the lab and the field.”
The Orchard of the Future represents a pivotal advancement in avocado cultivation, underpinned by over 40 years of research and commitment to sustainable practices, a press release noted. The orchard encompasses four pivotal focus areas—water usage, environmental management, disease control, and genetic efficiency—tackling a broad spectrum of challenges facing modern agriculture, including climate change and resource scarcity.
The inspiration for this unique virtual reality experience is the 32-acre Orchard of the Future located within the Westfalia Fruit Estate in Tzaneen, South Africa. This orchard serves as a living laboratory, allowing researchers to bridge the gap between laboratory studies and real-world ag challenges.
As the release went on to note, Westfalia’s research division, Westfalia Technological Services, is one of the world’s largest privately funded subtropical fruit research units. Within this division, a dedicated team of scientists and technicians focuses on varietal development, innovation, and environmental matters, helping to define the future of the global avocado industry.
“Real scientists are hard at work in 124 acres of orchards, where nature throws its challenges, providing invaluable real-life experience,” said Dr. Zelda van Rooyen, Research Manager at Westfalia Technological Services. “The dedication of these experts is complemented by the vast scale of these commercial orchards.”
Ready to step into year 2049? It’s waiting for you at booth #4453!
