Renewable energy firm Pure Energy Holdings Corp. is venturing into artificial intelligence-powered agricultural technology (AgTec), specifically for climate-controlled indoor farms.
The company said it will start constructing a model for a climate-controlled indoor farm in the third quarter this year capable of producing “designer fruits and vegetables.”
“We will be producing designer fruit and vegetables such as strawberries and dou miao which we believe have a niche market and strong potential for revenue growth. However, we will not pursue lower-margin vegetables such as lettuce or tomatoes given there are a dime a dozen greenhouse-grown bitter or sour produce of those everywhere,” said Eric Roxas, Pure Energy president.
Pure Energy said it will tap subsidiaries NexGen Energy Corp. and Repower Energy Development Corp. operating solar, hydropower and wind power facilities in Bulacan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Camarines Sur to provide 24×7 power to the indoor farms.
The indoor farms are capable of growing sustainable food without consideration for outside weather such as rain, flood, heat and humidity as well as pests that contaminate the produce.
Pure Energy also said that since the AgTec farm receives continuous power to run its powerful temperature control equipment indoors, it will result in sweeter, healthier, greener and crispier produce without the ill effects of insecticide and pesticide.
Pure Energy operates traditional farms in Tagaytay and Quezon but employs microclimate conditions to produce “designer fruits” such as sweet red-orange jackfruit, aromatic pandan coconuts, yuzu, amalfi lemons and macadamia nuts.
“The agricultural sector in the Philippines is one of the major components of the Philippine economy but it continues to experience adverse impacts from various factors such as climate change,” Roxas said.
Apart from farming and developing RE facilities, Pure Energy is also involved in bulk water supply and distribution through various subsidiaries.
