For Full Nature Farms , COVID-19 came as a benediction in disguise . The Hong Kong fresh produce marketplace , which has always been relying heavily on imports , short take in the benefit of local produce : cut back C footprint , lower transportation cost , and even more importantly , a fresher product . " multitude abruptly realized that scant transportation think a well product , and they shifted to us , " Ray Lok , founder , and CEO of Full Nature Farms , explains .
Full Nature Farms ' office
Full Nature Farms , an aquaponics indoor farm that grows edible flower , microgreens , and herbaceous plant , started three years ago when its beginner , who had been mature in a nursery previously , clear that vertical husbandry would offer the unspoilt resolution to the worry that was add by climate change that made the summers in subtropical Hong Kong even more humid . " We realized that growing out of doors was not sustainable any longer , as the humid climate made us prone to kingdom Fungi . We could only produce the good vegetables in wintertime , so we had to move indoors , where mood restraint would protect us against that . "
The aquaponic tanks
formulate a perpendicular system was an exciting footstep for Full Nature Farms , but even in the year before , they had prove that they did not blackball take unusual measure in agriculture . They start in 2013 with the first commercial greenhouse in Hong Kong that used an aquaponics growth organization . " Nobody believed in aquaponics back then , as they detect the mix of fish and crops in one system illogical . " Ray , however , was convert of the benefits of aquaponics , as it would allow them to grow a large variety of crops with the same alimental mix provided by the Pisces the Fishes . " If we wish , we could mature 500 types of crops within the same arrangement at the same time . That revelation was magical for us . "
The flowers
In order of magnitude to gain more knowledge in this comparatively new field of agriculture , the squad lead to the States to follow classes on aquaponics . They also visited farm in the Netherlands , Australia , and China to compare the systems . " The first years , we did a set of research and carried out experiment to get the idealistic configurations . There are quite some variable quantity when grow in this ecosystem , so that was quite a challenge . "
One of the fully grown advantages of Hong Kong as a locating is the law of proximity of Formosan factories , rendering hardware product much more affordable . " This permit us to grow our own LED system that is tailored to our workflow . Our main cost are maintenance , not hardware . " Although there are other farms that do the same , Ray finds great welfare in start on a humble scale . " We come from a farmers ' background , and we know how to surmount up our production very rapidly . That way , we can answer quick to growing requirement . "
finish adeptness
Last November , the farm was finished and started producing . Thanks to the efficient design , it can acquire over 10,000 head of flush per 100 m2 . The edible flowers can be reap on a weekly basis . The timing become out to be utter , as the pandemic had forced the chefs of the many Michelin restaurants in Hong Kong to regain local suppliers for their microgreens , gift the high toll of import product . " People are acquainted with westerly culinary art here , so the microgreens went fast . The light logistical chain also afford less thriftlessness , so chef could be more creative with their usage of microgreens . "
In the dear future , Ray plans on expanding his farm to other building in the Asia - Pacific . " We also encounter inquiries from other Asian res publica such as Taiwan and the Philippines . But as much though we would bed to expand even further , we will have to look until we can bring down them . "
For more information : Full Nature FarmsRay Lok , Founder , and CEO[email protected]www.fullnature.com
© FloralDaily.com/Rebekka Boekhout
