Singapore – Singapore-based indoor hydroponics startup, Artisan Green, has announced plans to build a second farm and significantly scale up production by the end of 2025. This expansion is part of a strategic partnership with German technology company Siemens, aiming to implement an advanced farm management system that enhances crop yields while reducing energy and water consumption.
Major Expansion Plans Founded five years ago, Artisan Green currently operates a 300-square-meter hydroponic farm in Kallang. According to its founder, Ray Poh, the upcoming farm will be significantly larger, with a production area of 5,500 square meters.
"We have been working on this for a long time and are confident that our technology is well-suited for large-scale operations," Poh stated in an interview at the Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific conference at Singapore Expo.
Poh added that Artisan Green will participate in a land tender in December and is optimistic about securing the site. If successful, construction will commence in the second quarter of next year and is expected to be completed within 12 to 15 months.
Sustainable Farming with Siemens Collaboration On October 18, 2023, Artisan Green signed a partnership agreement with Siemens to develop a highly scalable integrated farm management system. This system will leverage automation and digitalization with a strong focus on plant science, driving sustainable agricultural practices.
“This partnership allows us to improve crop quality and yield while reducing our carbon footprint, as well as optimizing water and energy usage,” Poh said.
Isabel Chong, Head of Siemens Digital Industries ASEAN, highlighted Singapore’s heavy reliance on food imports, which account for over 90% of the country’s total food supply. She emphasized the need for innovative smart farming solutions to enhance local food production.
Impact on Production and Market Expansion Currently, Artisan Green supplies fresh produce to 41 supermarkets in Singapore, along with online platforms such as RedMart and GrabFood. About 90% of its sales come from brick-and-mortar stores, while online channels contribute the remainder.
With the new farm, Artisan Green aims to boost production from one ton to 25 tons of leafy greens per month. This increased capacity will help supply over 134,000 meals per month with fresh vegetables.
Beyond retail, Artisan Green plans to enter the food service industry by supplying microgreens to restaurants and hotels. Poh is confident that with higher production levels, costs will decrease, making their products more affordable and competitive.
Supporting Singapore’s Food Security Goals The expansion aligns with Singapore’s "30 by 30" food security goal, which aims to produce 30% of the nation’s nutritional needs locally by 2030.
“With this new farm management system, we are not only increasing production at a lower cost but also ensuring fresh, high-quality local produce is accessible to Singaporeans at affordable prices,” Poh emphasized.
One of Artisan Green’s flagship products is baby spinach, which is typically imported from the U.S., Europe, or Australia due to Singapore’s tropical climate. However, indoor farming allows them to grow pesticide-free baby spinach with a longer shelf life.
“We are committed to setting a new benchmark for hydroponic farming and high-tech agriculture, both in Singapore and globally,” Poh concluded.