Japan.
A former Sony Corporation semiconductor factory has been transformed into the world’s largest indoor farm.
Japanese plant physiologist Shigeharu Shimamura, CEO of Mirai Co, partnered with GE Japan to make his dream come true.
A water- and energy-efficient indoor farming system.
Despite only starting production last year, the farm is already delivering 10,000 heads of lettuce per day.
A former Sony Corporation semiconductor factory has been transformed into the world’s largest indoor farm.
Japanese plant physiologist Shigeharu Shimamura, CEO of Mirai Co, partnered with GE Japan to make his dream come true.
A water- and energy-efficient indoor farming system.
Despite only starting production last year, the farm is already delivering 10,000 heads of lettuce per day.
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| modernfarm.com |
Located in Miyagi Prefecture in eastern Japan, an area that was badly hit by the powerful earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
25,000 square feet, almost half the size of a soccer field, and 17,500 LED lights spread across 18 racks of 15 levels are key to the farm’s success.
The LEDs were developed by GE and emit light in optimal wavelengths for plant growth, allowing Shimamura to control the night-and-day cycle and speed up production.
25,000 square feet, almost half the size of a soccer field, and 17,500 LED lights spread across 18 racks of 15 levels are key to the farm’s success.
The LEDs were developed by GE and emit light in optimal wavelengths for plant growth, allowing Shimamura to control the night-and-day cycle and speed up production.
By controlling temperature, humidity and irrigation, farms can also cut water use to just one percent of the amount required by outdoor farming.
“What we need to do is not just set up day and night. We want to achieve the best combination of photosynthesizing during the day and breathing at night by controlling the lighting and environment,” Shimamura said.
The system allows the farm to grow nutrient-rich lettuce two and a half times faster than outdoor farming.
Wasted products are also reduced from about 50 percent to just 10 percent of the crop.
This translates to a 100-fold increase in productivity per square foot.
LEDs also last longer than fluorescent lights and consume 40 percent less power.
“What we need to do is not just set up day and night. We want to achieve the best combination of photosynthesizing during the day and breathing at night by controlling the lighting and environment,” Shimamura said.
The system allows the farm to grow nutrient-rich lettuce two and a half times faster than outdoor farming.
Wasted products are also reduced from about 50 percent to just 10 percent of the crop.
This translates to a 100-fold increase in productivity per square foot.
LEDs also last longer than fluorescent lights and consume 40 percent less power.
Of the successful partnership, Shimamura adds, “I know how to grow biologically good vegetables and I want to integrate that knowledge with hardware to make things happen.”
The GE Japan team believes that indoor farms like the one in Miyagi Prefecture could be key to solving the world’s food shortage.
Project partners are already working on similar indoor farms in Hong Kong and the Russian Far East.
The GE Japan team believes that indoor farms like the one in Miyagi Prefecture could be key to solving the world’s food shortage.
Project partners are already working on similar indoor farms in Hong Kong and the Russian Far East.
Ref: http://inhabitat.com
