The United Kingdom has long struggled with a climate that is not ideal for growing leafy vegetables and fruits. As a result, the country has relied heavily on imports from European Union nations. However, with the increased tariffs following Brexit, the cost of fresh produce is expected to rise significantly, posing challenges for consumers. One potential solution comes from an innovative plant factory in Taiwan, which could help address this growing food gap.
Visiting the Source Fresh Wisdom Farm in Taoyuan, Taiwan, you're immediately struck by its futuristic design. The facility features vertical farming systems stacked up to 14 levels high, filled with lush green vegetables illuminated by bright LED lights—giving the impression of stepping into a science fiction movie.
Cai Wenqing, Chairman of the Yuanxian Group, explains that the smart farm spans about 800 square meters and produces 100 times more per unit area than traditional farming. With a daily output of 1.6 tons, it's among the most advanced in the world. Currently, over 30 types of vegetables are grown here, all under controlled environmental conditions.
This concept aligns with the global trend of "plant factories"—highly controlled agricultural systems where light, temperature, and nutrients are artificially managed. These facilities can produce large quantities of vegetables year-round, regardless of external weather conditions.
Yuanxian is the first Taiwanese plant factory to invest in the UK. Cai Wenqing believes that as import costs rise post-Brexit, such technology could help supply customized vegetables directly in the UK, filling the market gap.
A pilot plant is set to open at the National Agri-Food Innovation Campus in York, England, in April. The UK government offers various incentives for such investments. The team includes experts from the UK, France, and Denmark, with a daily production target of 50 kilograms. Marketing and promotion will be the first step.
Catherine Nettleton, a representative of the British office in Taiwan, praised the initiative, calling it a great example of UK-Taiwan collaboration in advanced technology. She added that it could bring high-quality food to consumers in the future.
Cai Wenqing expects the full-scale production plant to be completed by the end of the year, with a daily output of 10 tons. The main product will be multi-variety lettuce, aiming to enrich the British salad bowl with Taiwanese produce.
According to a report from the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, in 2016, the UK imported approximately 6,500 tons of vegetables daily, mainly from Spain and the Netherlands, including tomatoes, lettuce, and cauliflower.
In recent years, Yuanxian Agriculture has partnered with Professor Cai Dongyu, known as the “plant god doctor,†to develop big data on crop growth using biotechnology and statistical analysis. This allows for mass production and even custom-made vegetables based on specific parameters.
Cai Ruicheng, a brand marketing expert, explained that smart agriculture not only reduces labor costs but also helps predict market demand and plan for the next two months. For instance, customers might receive notifications like, “We will collect 3 kilograms of ice every Monday and Wednesday,†helping them time their purchases for premium vegetables.
One such high-end vegetable is the “ice flower,†or “diamond flower,†native to South Africa. It’s highly sought after by celebrities and can sell for over 10,000 yuan per kilogram in Taiwan.
Another innovation is the microbial fermentation liquid fertilizer developed by Cai Dongyu. It enhances plants' resistance to disease while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, addressing concerns about nitrate residues in traditional farming methods and making hydroponic vegetables more appealing to consumers.
With these advancements, the future of sustainable and efficient agriculture looks promising, offering a glimpse into how technology can reshape the way we grow and consume food.
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