#Open Innovation #Japan #Sustainable Agriculture #Hamura #Oishii Farm

Oishii Farm Unveils Tokyo Research Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Oishii Farm, a leader in sustainable agriculture and based in New Jersey, USA, has announced the establishment of its cutting-edge research facility, the Open Innovation Center in Hamura City, Tokyo. With an impressive investment of over ¥5 billion, this new center aims to innovatively address the challenges and potentials of plant factory systems in Japan.

The Vision for Sustainable Agriculture

The creation of the Open Innovation Center is part of Oishii Farm's ambition to harness Japan's exceptional agricultural and industrial technologies for the advancement of sustainable farming. Japan is known for its world-class expertise in both sectors, and Oishii Farm plans to leverage this talent to enhance productivity, improve sustainability, and pursue the production of flavorful fruits and vegetables.

The facility is currently under construction and is expected to kickstart research activities incrementally within this year. Oishii Farm envisages the center to play a pivotal role in pioneering plant factory operations, contributing to the next generation of global industries, akin to Japan's automotive sector.

Research and Development Areas

The main focus of the Open Innovation Center is to engage with key players in various domains imperative to plant factories. This includes:

• - Mass production techniques, enhancing product yield and quality.
• - Sustainability practices, minimizing environmental impacts and resource use.
• - Exploration of new crop varieties that meet consumer demands for taste and nutrition.

Oishii Farm's goal is to establish a turnkey solution for plant factories, allowing for standardized technology and equipment packages that can be deployed globally without extensive customization.

Infrastructure and Environmental Considerations

The center is strategically located in Tokyo's Tamachi district, occupying a substantial space of 15,272.45 square meters—equivalent to more than two soccer fields. This facility offers the vital infrastructure necessary for plant factory operations, including a framework to support rigorous research efforts. Environmentally, the center is designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating renewable energy sources like solar power and seeking ZEB (Zero Energy Building) certification for lower environmental impact.

The facility aims to foster a comprehensive research and development environment equipped with advanced technology, intended for significant growth and innovation.

Facility Details

• - Location: 2-6-13 Shinmeidai, Hamura City, Tokyo, 205-0023
• - Site Area: 7,218.85 square meters (2,183.70 tsubo)
• - Total Floor Area: 15,272.45 square meters (4,619.91 tsubo)

Recruitment Initiatives

To complement this ambitious expansion, Oishii Farm is actively hiring as part of its recruitment efforts for the Open Innovation Center. As of June 1st, the Japan team has grown from just one member in 2023 to nine. The company seeks individuals who resonate with its mission to provide exceptional customer experiences and drive sustainable agricultural revolutions through cutting-edge technology.

Current open positions include:

• - Business Roles: BizDev and Project Manager
• - Plant Science Roles: Cultivation Manager
• - Technical Roles: Data Engineers and Machine Learning Engineers
• - Corporate Roles: Finance and Accounting Managers
• - Part-time Positions: Farm Operators

Oishii Farm is enthusiastic about expanding its workforce further to support the center's goals. The latest job openings can be checked on their recruitment page.

About Oishii Farm

Founded in 2016, Oishii Farm aims to realize sustainable agriculture through plant factory technology, ingeniously merging natural processes with advanced technology. The company has made history by becoming the first to achieve stable production of strawberries using natural pollination methods within a plant factory—setting a high standard for quality, 100% pesticide-free and non-GMO produce.

To learn more about Oishii Farm, visit their official website. Follow their X account for updates on innovative projects and recruitment opportunities.