Charishma Sai Pinnenaneni comes from Hyderabad, India, and is studying for a master's degree in information technology at TH OWL. Together with her fellow students, she is developing a prototype for vertical farming—a system that allows plants to be grown sustainably indoors and in urban areas. The goal: resource-efficient, year-round production, even of plants that would not grow under normal conditions in Germany – such as hot chilies.
“I come from a farming background. My parents have a plot of land where we grow wheat, among other things. That has shaped me,” says Charishma. Although she originally studied computer science, it was clear to her that technology and agriculture could be combined perfectly. This combination is at the heart of “Grow Smart.”
The team consists of five students from India and Pakistan—all studying IT and all with a keen interest in sustainable agriculture. Their task: to replace manual labor with automated systems. This involves the use of programmable logic controllers combined with IoT sensors to measure temperature, humidity, CO₂ levels, light intensity, water quality, and nutrient content. The collected data is analyzed using AI algorithms to precisely control climate, light, irrigation, and fertilization processes.
Close contacts with professors of food technology are particularly valuable in this regard. They support the team with specialist knowledge, research results, and practical expertise. The project is currently in the technical implementation phase—the foundations have been laid. The next step is to collaborate with agricultural experts. To this end, the team is specifically seeking to engage with the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at TH OWL.
Grow Smart attaches great importance to scientific accuracy. The team closely follows current developments in agricultural research and works to translate findings into practice.
Vertical farming is a promising response to challenges such as water scarcity, climate fluctuations, pest infestation, high resource consumption, and growing urban population density. Smart farming technologies allow the full potential of sustainable agriculture to be exploited: less water and land consumption, shorter transport routes, reduced CO₂ emissions, better control over the use of pesticides, and year-round local production.
“Some people may wonder what computer science has to do with agriculture,” says Charishma. “For me, there is a strong connection. Both fields are crucial for the future of humanity—worldwide.”
Instead of conventional soil, the team uses coconut fiber—a lightweight, sustainable substrate that stores water and moisture particularly well. This allows a wide variety of plants to be grown efficiently, even in limited space.
The project's sustainability goals are also clearly defined: up to 95% water savings compared to traditional agriculture, higher yield per square meter through multi-layer cultivation, and a significant reduction in pesticide use thanks to AI-supported monitoring.
TH OWL supports the project not only financially, but also scientifically—with modern laboratories, technical infrastructure, and open supervision. “The support from our professors was fantastic. I hadn't expected so much commitment,” Charishma praises.
She has been living in Lemgo for a year and a half now—and feels right at home. “The city is quiet, friendly, and affordable. You can live well here on a reasonable budget. I would like to stay in the region after I graduate.”
Finally, Charishma has some advice for all international students who come to Lemgo in the future: “Follow your heart, trust yourself, and be mentally prepared—it's worth it.”
