Hello everyone! I’m Shohei.
When it comes to technological innovations in agriculture, “plant factory” is one of them.
A plant factory is a facility that allows for year-round, planned production by artificially controlling environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, light, and carbon dioxide concentration. Unlike traditional field cultivation and greenhouse cultivation, a major characteristic is that it is less susceptible to external environmental influences.
The advantages and disadvantages of plant factories are explained in detail in the following article.
This article aims to clarify the purpose and goals of plant factories while exploring how they should be utilized.
I will explain this from the perspective of someone who has worked in the plant factory industry for many years.
The Purpose and Goals of Plant Factories
First, plant factories around the world are aiming for the following purposes and goals.
- Stable supply of high-quality agricultural products
- Planned production of agricultural products
- Efficiency and labor-saving in agriculture
- Realization of safe cultivation without pesticides
- Ensuring traceability (the ability to trace production history)
Plant factories can control crop growth through optimal environmental control, enabling stable year-round supply of agricultural products with less variation in quality. As a result, planned production according to demand becomes possible.
Furthermore, the introduction of automation technology leads to efficiency and labor-saving in farming. However, it hasn’t progressed as much as it should at this point. It has advanced since I joined the industry in 2011, though.
Since cultivation is conducted in a closed environment, one of the major goals is to minimize pesticide use. Detailed management of cultivation history also enhances traceability.
In this way, plant factories aim to add value to agricultural products in terms of “stability”, “safety”, and “efficiency”.
Features of Plant Factories to Achieve These Goals
Plant factories have important features to achieve the goals mentioned above.
- Closed space isolated from the external environment
- Utilization of advanced environmental control technology
- Low risk of pest and disease invasion
- High space utilization efficiency through vertical cultivation
- Thorough Crop management based on data
The biggest characteristic of plant factories is that cultivation is carried out in a closed space that is isolated from the outside world. By artificially controlling temperature, humidity, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration, an ideal cultivation environment can be achieved regardless of season or weather. This enables stable production throughout the year.
Another major advantage is that it is easy to prevent the invasion of pests and diseases. By physically blocking the entry of insects into the facility and implementing thorough Hygiene management, pesticide use can be reduced. This leads to the production of safe and high-quality agricultural products.
Vertical cultivation using multi-tiered shelves is another major feature of plant factories, allowing for effective use of limited space. As efficient production is possible even with a small area, the productivity of the facility can be significantly increased. This is the key to making a profitable plant factory.
Furthermore, plant factories uniquely utilize sensors and IoT technology to constantly monitor the cultivation environment and growth status. By analyzing the collected data and utilizing it for optimal environmental control and Crop management, high-quality agricultural products can be produced stably.
In this way, the features of plant factories play a crucial role in achieving the goals mentioned at the beginning.
3 Ways to Utilize Plant Factories
The introduction has been long, but now let’s get to the main topic.
By taking advantage of the characteristics of plant factories mentioned above, they can be utilized in various situations. Let’s look at some specific ways to utilize them.
1. Production of Fresh Vegetables in Urban Areas
Plant factories enable large-scale agricultural production even in urban areas with limited farmland. As they can be cultivated efficiently in a small space, they can be installed in places like city buildings or underground spaces.
Since production takes place near consumption areas, it is possible to supply fresh vegetables for “local production for local consumption” immediately after harvesting. Short transportation times allow consumers to receive high-quality vegetables.
Plant factories are particularly suitable for cultivating leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and herbs, where freshness is key. Due to the increasing concern for food safety and security, demand for fresh vegetables produced in plant factories is expected to grow not only in Japan but also worldwide.
2. Branding of High-Value Crops
In recent years, branding of vegetables such as tomatoes and strawberries has been progressing.
Plant factories are also focusing on producing these branded vegetables through breeding and the realization of optimal cultivation environments.
For example, plant factories that cultivate high-sugar tomatoes can stably produce high-quality tomatoes with sugar content exceeding 10% by strictly managing water and nutrient supply. Such high-value vegetables are expected to be in high demand in premium markets such as gifts and sales at high-end supermarkets.
Vegetables produced in plant factories can be differentiated by their high quality and safety. Branding of high-value crops is expanding business opportunities for plant factories.
3. Mass Production in Limited Land
Plant factories enable vertical cultivation even in small areas. They can dramatically increase the harvest volume per unit area.
Artificial light-type plant factories utilize multi-tiered shelves for vertical cultivation. In some cases, they achieve harvest volumes more than 10 times that of traditional field cultivation.
Even in urban areas with limited land, plant factories enable efficient mass production. Due to the high profitability per unit area, plant factories offer significant advantages in management.
But Be Careful! Pitfalls of Plant Factory Businesses
It would be good to end the explanation here, but it’s not all sunshine and roses.
You may have heard that “plant factories are all in the red.”
In reality, there are countless cases where cultivation techniques are immature, or there is a lack of know-how in the field, leading to unsuccessful operations.
I have seen several such sites, and although the employees are working hard, they lack the knowledge and have no choice but to struggle.
Many plant factories are struggling in this difficult situation.
A major reason for this is the scarcity of specific and practical know-how that can be used in the field.
Therefore, on my website, I provide the know-how I have honed in the field over many years.
To enhance the field strength of plant factories, the following content is powerful.
In Conclusion
Plant factories are next-generation agricultural production systems that utilize environmental control technology and automation technology.
A major strength is the ability to grow safe and high-quality crops according to plan, regardless of weather or location.
Plant factory applications are diverse, including revitalization of urban agriculture, branding of high-value crops, and efficient mass production on limited land.
Depending on the ingenuity of producers, the scope of application will continue to expand.
- Is cultivation in plant factories truly stable?
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Plant factories utilize advanced environmental control technology to enable stable year-round cultivation, unaffected by weather or season. By maintaining optimal conditions for temperature, humidity, light, and carbon dioxide concentration, crops can be produced according to plan. Compared to traditional agriculture, there is a significant reduction in yield and quality variation.
- Is plant factory financially viable?
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Initial investment and running costs, such as energy bills, are high, but harvest volume per unit area is extremely large, so it is potentially highly profitable. By producing high-value crops or securing sales channels through contract farming, financial viability can be further enhanced. However, it is crucial to develop a solid business plan.
- Does hydroponics used in plant factories place a burden on the environment?
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Plant factories circulate nutrient solutions, reducing water usage compared to soil-based cultivation. Furthermore, since everything is self-contained within the facility, fertilization and pesticide effects do not impact the external environment. Additionally, waste such as plant residue can be reduced. Properly managed plant factories can be considered an agricultural form that reduces environmental burden.
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