The Mirai Co. Lettuce Farm Uses Special Lighting to Optimize Plant Growth
Alyson Wyers — July 17, 2014 — Tech
References: miraigroup.jp & coolbusinessideas
The world's largest indoor lettuce farm was once a Sony Corporation semiconductor factory. Located in the Miyagi Prefecture of eastern Japan, this operation is the brain child of plant physiologist Shigeharu Shimamura. Mirai Co. is a water, space and energy efficient interior farming system resulting from a partnership with GE Japan.
Despite only having started production one year ago, the lettuce farm production now ships out 10,000 heads of lettuce on a daily basis. The 25,000 square foot operation is almost half the size of a football field, with 17,500 LED bulbs lighting the way. With 18 cultivation racks reaching 15 levels high, it becomes easier to see how they could produce so much product. The LED lighting is key, having been developed by GE to emit light considered optimal for plant growth.
Despite only having started production one year ago, the lettuce farm production now ships out 10,000 heads of lettuce on a daily basis. The 25,000 square foot operation is almost half the size of a football field, with 17,500 LED bulbs lighting the way. With 18 cultivation racks reaching 15 levels high, it becomes easier to see how they could produce so much product. The LED lighting is key, having been developed by GE to emit light considered optimal for plant growth.
Trend Themes
1. Indoor Farming - The rise of indoor farming is disrupting traditional agriculture methods by providing efficient and sustainable plant growth solutions.
2. LED Technology - LED technology is revolutionizing agriculture by providing energy-efficient lighting that promotes optimal plant growth.
3. Vertical Farming - The utilization of vertical farming is changing the way we grow crops by maximizing the use of space and increasing production efficiency.
Industry Implications
1. Agriculture - The agriculture industry has the opportunity to adopt indoor farming technology and LED lighting to produce crops in a more cost-efficient and sustainable manner.
2. Lighting - The lighting industry can explore new market opportunities by developing LED lights specifically tailored for indoor agriculture use.
3. Vertical Farming - Vertical farming companies could adopt Mirai Co.'s cultivation rack system that allows for high-density production of crops in a vertical space-efficient setup.
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