An Australian first hydroponic facility that produces up to eight times as much high quality, high nutrient spinach - while using less water and no pesticides – has officially opened in Victoria.
The cutting edge facility will generate 40 full time jobs and give Victorian growers the opportunity to maximise the quality and health value of their produce thanks to revolutionary new Japanese growing methods.
Officially opening the new KAITEKI Fresh facility today in Bunyip, Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford, congratulated CEO of KAITEKI Fresh, Mr Katsutoshi Ogihara, on the new operations and welcomed the investment in Victoria’s agriculture sector.
The environmentally friendly technology has the potential to revolutionise the way the industry cultivates leafy vegetables by allowing the production of 18 or more harvests of top quality spinach a year, all year round.
With Victorian horticultural exports already accounting for more than half of Australia’s total horticultural exports, this new technology presents a huge opportunity for our growers to replicate the increased yields on a much larger scale.
Today’s opening represents five years of collaboration between the Victorian Government, global chemical company Mitsubishi Plastics Inc. and the KAITEKI Institute to trial and commercialise this advanced water-saving hydroponic technology.
Using spinach as a model crop, Victorian Government scientists at AgriBio have refined the Japanese growing technologies to produce up to eight times more marketable product than conventional methods.
The closed hydroponic system uses a fraction of the water normally used in modern irrigation and allows the grower to accurately control temperature, as well as water and nutrient use, to produce high quality spinach while preventing pest infestations within a consistent ideal climate.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“This state-of-the art hydroponic facility is a potential game changer for our local growers and exporters.”
“Our horticulture sector has a bright future – that’s why we’re supporting it to innovate and create jobs.”
“Securing KAITEKI’s new operations confirms our reputation as a global leader in food production and as a state ready to attract and accept investment from across our region.”
Quotes attributable to CEO of KAITEKI Fresh Australia Mr. Katsutoshi Ogihara
“Recently, people are becoming more aware of healthier food and where it is derived from in the world, and are seeking environmentally friendly, high quality, safe and secure vegetables”
“KAITEKI Fresh was established to accelerate the promotion of pesticide free leafy vegetables grown by the state of art, water-saving hydroponic technology, globally and I am thrilled to launch the new company at Melbourne.”
“I am very confident that we will continue to contribute to the growth of the Victorian agriculture and food sector into the future.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020