Pure Energy ventures into digital agriculture
MANILA, Philippines — Renewable energy player Pure Energy Holdings Corp. (PEHC) of businessman Dexter Tiu is venturing into digital agriculture, with plans to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to grow crops in climate-controlled indoor farms.
PEHC President Eric Peter Roxas said in a statement these unconventional farms would produce strawberries, dou miao (pea shoots), and other designer fruits and vegetables “which we believe have a niche market and strong potential for revenue growth.”
“However, we will not pursue lower-margin vegetables such as lettuces or local tomatoes given there are a dime a dozen greenhouse-grown bitter or sour produce of these everywhere,” Roxas said.
The company did not disclose the location of the indoor farms but said it would begin constructing a pilot farm next quarter.
To power the indoor farms, PEHC will source round-the-clock electricity from its subsidiaries NexGen Energy Corp. and Repower Energy Development Corp. which operate solar, hydropower, and wind power facilities in the provinces of Bulacan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Camarines Sur.
“Because of the synergy NexGen has with its sister companies, the AgTec farm can receive continuous power to run its powerful equipment to control the temperature indoors—resulting in sweeter, healthier, greener, and crispier produce without the ill effects of insecticide and pesticide,” it said.
Indoor farms
“Without any consideration for outside weather (e.g. rain, flood, heat, and humidity) and pests that contaminate produce, indoor farms can grow sustainable food 24/7, 365 days a year due to climate-controlled temperature indoors,” it added.
READ: Tiu hurdles SEC approval to debut another firm
PEHC announced its plan to develop climate-controlled indoor farms to help ease the effect of climate change on the agriculture sector.
“Agriculture is something that is close to Dexter Tiu’s heart, having developed this since he was six years old from his grandmother who had a passion for growing plants,” Roxas said.
At present, PEHC cultivates some fruits including sweet red-orange jackfruit, aromatic pandan coconuts, yuzu, amalfi lemons, and macadamia nuts in its “normal” farms in Tagaytay and Quezon.
These fruits and nuts are produced in microclimate conditions specific to each plant, according to the firm.—JORDEENE B. LAGARE
