Latest UpdatesInfarm, a Berlin indoor vegetables vertical farming startup established a subsidiary in Tokyo

Infarm- Indoor Urban Farming GmbH (Infarm) is a Berlin based startup that has developed its own "smart farming units" using IoT (Internet of Things) and machine-learning technologies to adjust the cultivation atmosphere, temperature, humidity, lighting, and other conditions according to the growing requirements of each crop.

The vegetables are cultivated, and sold, inside supermarkets, restaurants, and other outlets using the company's farming units.
In addition to being smart and vertically stackable, the vegetables farming units are also hydroponic, they do not use soil.

Compared to conventional soil agricultural methods, Infarm can reduce the use of fertilizers by 75% and water by 95%, with zero pesticide, and since vegetables cultivation is carried out in urban areas where it is consumed, the transportation costs also can be reduced by 90%.

In the Japanese agricultural sector that faces many issues, such as waste losses, numerous natural disasters with massive damage to crop yields, as well as the aging of its farmers, the “smart agriculture” offered by Infarm is expected to contribute to the Japanese Government's efforts to promote innovation towards smarter and decarbonized agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.

In February 2020, the company established Infarm-Indoor Urban Farming Japan Inc. in Tokyo. This first Asian base for Infarm will promote next generation's “local production for local consumption” in Japan.
To develop its business in Japan, the company partnered with East Japan Railway Company (JR East). The smart farming units are planned to be introduced at the Kinokuniya (a JR East company) stores and the sales of vegetables is planned to start in the latter half of 2020.

Upon establishing the company in Japan, JETRO's Invest Japan Business Support Center (IBSC) provided consulting services (registration), market-related information, trade-related information as well as PR support.