Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-04-11 Origin: Site
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the agricultural sector is undergoing profound transformation. The Auma agricultural containerized plant factory, as a typical representative of mobile digital agriculture, is leveraging its unique advantages and advanced technology to forge new paths for modern agricultural development. Next, let us delve deeper into this innovative product and analyze the current state of its industry.
In recent years, global agriculture has faced numerous severe challenges. Climate change has led to frequent extreme weather events, such as heavy rains, droughts, high temperatures, and low temperatures, which disrupt the growth cycles of crops and significantly impact yields. According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, over the past decade, global crop production has decreased by an average of 10% to 15% annually due to extreme weather. At the same time, land resources have become increasingly scarce, with urbanization accelerating and consuming large amounts of arable land. Coupled with soil degradation and desertification, the area of arable land continues to shrink. The food supply chain has also been hit by unprecedented instability due to factors like the pandemic and trade frictions, making it difficult to ensure a stable and high-quality supply of agricultural products.
In this context, traditional agricultural models are showing signs of fatigue, prompting the agricultural sector to actively seek innovative solutions. The plant factory industry has emerged and rapidly developed in response. According to relevant data, the global plant factory market size reached $133 billion in 2022, and is expected to grow to $225 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2% over the forecast period. The growth trend is clearly visible from the chart, which fully demonstrates the growing importance of plant factories in modern agriculture and their role as a key solution to agricultural challenges. Among these, containerized plant factories, as an innovative form of plant factories, have gained prominence in the industry due to their unique advantages, with their market share steadily expanding.
From a geographical perspective, the Asian region leads in plant factory construction due to its dense population, relatively scarce land resources, and strong demand for agricultural products, accounting for 45% of global plant factories. Japan, as a pioneer in plant factory development, has widely adopted various plant factory technologies. Its containerized plant factories play a significant role in urban agriculture, providing fresh vegetables to city residents. Following closely are North America and Europe, which account for 28% and 17%, respectively. In Europe and America, some large agricultural companies have also set up containerized plant factory projects to address the challenges of agricultural product supply.
In terms of technology application, soilless cultivation is the most widely used in plant factories, accounting for 60%. Methods such as hydroponics and aeroponics can precisely control the growth environment of plants, enhancing both yield and quality. Intelligent environmental control systems account for 30%, using sensors and automated equipment to accurately regulate parameters like temperature, humidity, light, and carbon dioxide concentration. LED plant lighting technology accounts for 10%, favored due to its energy efficiency and adjustable light quality, making it the preferred artificial light source in plant factories. The continuous innovation and integration of these technologies are driving the sustained development of the plant factory industry.
Auma Agricultural Container Plant Factory is an innovative agricultural production system. It ingeniously leverages the mobility of containers to create an indoor agricultural production space. By integrating various advanced technologies and equipment, it achieves efficient agricultural production in limited space, successfully breaking through the traditional reliance on land and climate for agriculture.
Its exterior is made of sturdy container material, adaptable to various transportation and placement environments. The interior space is meticulously designed, with well-planned planting areas, equipment storage zones, and operational pathways. Each container functions as an independent agricultural production unit, allowing flexible deployment in different locations according to needs. Whether in suburban areas, remote villages, or even offshore platforms, it can quickly establish an agricultural production base.
3. Significant advantages of container planting
(1) Maximizing space utilization
A large amount of idle land and space in cities can be fully utilized. Even in the heart of bustling urban areas, where every inch of land is valuable, containerized plant factories can be set up on abandoned parking lots and rooftop spaces to carry out agricultural production. This transforms what were once neglected corners into green "vegetable gardens," significantly boosting the development of urban agriculture. For example, in an old commercial district renovation project in a certain city, 10 Auma agricultural containerized plant factories were installed in an idle parking lot area, where lettuce, spinach, and other leafy vegetables were grown. Not only did this beautify the environment, but it also provided fresh vegetables for nearby residents.
(2) Climate impact "zero worry"
Whether in the frigid Arctic or the scorching tropics, indoor smart environmental control systems can precisely regulate key factors such as temperature, humidity, and lighting, creating the most ideal growing environment for plants, ensuring stable growth cycles and reliable product quality. At the Arctic research station, by deploying containerized plant factories, researchers successfully cultivated fresh vegetables, solving the long-standing problem of obtaining fresh agricultural products in polar environments. On some tropical islands, containerized plant factories can also withstand harsh high-temperature and high-humidity climates, maintaining stable production of various crops.
(3) Great leap in production efficiency
The application of advanced technology and automated equipment has achieved intelligent environmental control for plant growth. By collecting data in real-time through sensors and automatically adjusting the operation of equipment, this significantly shortens the growth period of plants, greatly increasing yields and fully meeting market demand for agricultural products. Compared to traditional open-field cultivation, the growing cycle of leafy vegetables in containerized planting can be shortened by 1/3 to 1/2, with yields increasing by 2 to 3 times. For example, it takes 40 to 50 days to harvest lettuce in traditional open-field cultivation, whereas in Auma Agriculture's containerized plant factory, it can be harvested in 20 to 25 days, and the yield per unit area increases from 1 to 2 kilograms to 4 to 6 kilograms.
(4) Environmental protection and sustainability
Using hydroponics and aeroponics, among other soilless cultivation methods, significantly reduces the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, thereby lowering environmental pollution. At the same time, water and energy resources are recycled, effectively conserving resources and promoting sustainable agricultural development. In terms of water resource utilization, the hydroponic system in containerized plant factories can achieve over 90% water recycling, saving more than 80% compared to traditional irrigation methods. Regarding energy, intelligent control systems optimize equipment operation, utilizing solar and wind power to supplement electricity, reducing dependence on traditional energy sources.
(5) Fresh and healthy "fast" table
In cities, fresh and healthy food can be produced, significantly reducing transportation costs and time while maximizing the freshness and quality of the food, providing safe and nutritious ingredients for urban residents. From harvest to table, the time can be shortened to within a few hours, effectively reducing the loss and nutrient degradation of vegetables during transportation. For example, containerized plant factories established around cities can have morning-picked vegetables ready on residents' tables by noon, allowing consumers to enjoy truly fresh produce.
(1) Diversified planting systems
Hydroponic System: Perfect for leafy vegetable growth, providing excellent growing conditions. By immersing the plant roots in nutrient-rich water solutions, it directly absorbs nutrients and water. This method allows precise control of nutrient supply, avoiding pest and disease issues in the soil, thus enabling rapid growth and fresh, tender texture in leafy vegetables. Common hydroponic methods include Deep Flow Drip (DFT) and Nippon Express (NFT). In Auma's agricultural containerized plant factory, these methods are flexibly selected based on different leafy vegetable varieties and planting requirements.
Substrate Cultivation System: Boosting the robust growth of strawberries, melons, and other crops, ensuring yield and quality. High-quality cultivation substrates, such as a mix of coconut coir, vermiculite, and perlite, not only anchor plant roots but also provide excellent air permeability and water retention. Meanwhile, precise nutrient supply through drip irrigation systems meets the nutritional needs of crops at different growth stages. For instance, in strawberry cultivation using the substrate system, fruits are larger, sweeter, and have significantly reduced pest and disease incidence.
Spray Cultivation System: An ideal choice for pasture and sprout vegetables, it meets the unique growth needs of different crops. Nutrient solutions are atomized and directly sprayed onto the surface of plant roots, allowing them to fully absorb nutrients and oxygen. This method significantly enhances plant growth rate and yield, especially suitable for pasture and sprout vegetables with short growth cycles and high environmental requirements. For example, alfalfa grown using spray cultivation can grow 30% to 40% faster than those planted in traditional soil, with higher protein content.
(2) Strong seedling system
Equipped with tidal shallow liquid flow beds and moisture-retaining sprinklers, the system can achieve large-scale seedling cultivation. The tidal shallow liquid flow bed provides ample water and nutrients to seedlings by periodically flooding and draining the trays, while ensuring good aeration for the root system. The moisture-retaining sprinkler equipment precisely controls the humidity of the seedling environment, preventing damage from dryness. An independent control system accurately nurtures seedling growth, adjusting parameters such as temperature, humidity, and light according to the characteristics of different seeds and seedlings, thereby increasing the success rate of seedling cultivation. In practical applications, the seedling system of Auma Agricultural Container Plant Factory can increase the success rate of seedling cultivation to over 95%, which is 15-20 percentage points higher than traditional methods.
(3) Intelligent nutrient solution circulation system
Through sensors, the EC (Electrical Conductivity), PH (pH), DO (Dissolved Oxygen), and liquid temperature of the nutrient solution pool are monitored in real-time. The system automatically adjusts the concentration of the nutrient solution to provide precise nutrients for plant growth. When the EC value of the nutrient solution deviates from the set range, the system automatically adds concentrated nutrient solution or water to adjust the concentration. If the pH is inappropriate, it automatically adds acid or alkali regulators to neutralize it. At the same time, the DO value is regulated by oxygenation equipment to ensure sufficient dissolved oxygen in the nutrient solution, meeting the root respiration needs of plants. The liquid temperature is also precisely controlled by temperature control equipment to create the most suitable environment for nutrient absorption. This intelligent nutrient solution circulation system can dynamically adjust the nutrient solution formula according to the different growth stages of plants, making plant growth more robust and significantly improving yield and quality.
(4) Complete environmental equipment
Temperature Control Equipment: Air conditioners and heat pumps work together to precisely regulate the temperature. In hot summers, air conditioning systems quickly lower indoor temperatures to prevent plants from being hindered in their growth due to high heat; in cold winters, heat pump systems efficiently generate warmth to maintain a suitable temperature environment. Through an intelligent temperature control system, indoor temperature fluctuations can be controlled within ±1° C, providing stable temperature conditions for plant growth.
Humidification Equipment: Maintaining appropriate air humidity. Using devices such as ultrasonic humidifiers, it automatically adjusts the humidification amount based on data feedback from indoor humidity sensors. Different plants have different requirements for air humidity; for example, orchids and other flowers thrive in environments with relative humidity between 70% and 80%, while leafy vegetables prefer environments with relative humidity between 60% and 70%. Humidification equipment can precisely meet the humidity needs of various plants.
Fresh Air Equipment: Ensures fresh indoor air. Through ventilation ducts and fans, it regularly expels stale indoor air and introduces fresh air to replenish carbon dioxide, while also regulating indoor temperature and humidity. The fresh air equipment is also equipped with an air filtration system, effectively filtering out dust, bacteria, and other harmful substances from the air, creating a clean environment for plant growth.
Carbon Dioxide Control System: Adjusts the concentration of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a crucial raw material for plant photosynthesis. By using a carbon dioxide generator or cylinder to supply gas, combined with a concentration sensor, it monitors and regulates the indoor CO2 level in real time. During daylight hours when there is ample light, appropriately increasing the CO2 concentration can enhance the efficiency of plant photosynthesis and promote growth. For example, raising the CO2 concentration from about 400ppm in the atmosphere to 800-1200ppm can increase the intensity of plant photosynthesis by 30% to 50%, significantly boosting yields.
LED Plant Growth Lights: As artificial light sources, they excel in performance and can adjust the lighting according to different plant needs, achieving controllable growth cycles. LED plant lighting technology emits specific wavelengths of light to simulate natural sunlight, meeting the requirements for photosynthesis and light form development in plants. Different plants have varying light requirements at different growth stages; for example, leafy vegetables require more blue light in the early growth stage to promote leaf growth, while more red light later on to enhance photosynthesis and sugar accumulation. The LED plant lighting technology used in Auma's agricultural containerized plant factory can precisely regulate light intensity, quality, and duration through an intelligent control system, providing the most suitable light conditions for plants, effectively shortening the growth cycle, and improving yield and quality.
(5) Precise environmental monitoring sensors
Various sensors closely monitor key data such as environmental temperature and humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, light intensity, and soil substrate conditions, providing precise data support for planting management. The temperature and humidity sensors use high-precision digital sensors to accurately measure indoor temperature and relative humidity in real time, with errors controlled within an extremely small range. The carbon dioxide concentration sensor operates on the principle of infrared absorption to quickly and accurately detect changes in indoor CO2 levels. The light intensity sensor can sense the intensity of different wavelengths of light, providing a basis for adjusting LED plant lighting technology. The soil substrate sensor monitors parameters such as moisture content, pH level, and nutrient content, ensuring that even in hydroponic cultivation, the optimal growing environment is maintained by monitoring data related to nutrient solutions and substrates. These sensors transmit the collected data in real time to a central control system, where it is analyzed and processed to achieve precise regulation of the planting environment.
Fifth, a strong guarantee for high yield
(1) Vegetable yield is amazing
Taking a standard 40-foot container as an example, it can grow about 2,000 vegetable plants. Leafy vegetables yield 2.5 to 4.5 kilograms per square meter, while root vegetables produce 3 to 5 kilograms per square meter. In actual cultivation, through proper planting density and scientific management, the yield of leafy vegetables can be further increased. For instance, using multi-layer vertical planting methods, increasing the number of planting layers to fully utilize space, can boost the yield per unit area by 50% to 100%. Moreover, due to the controllable environment in containerized plant factories, year-round continuous production is possible, significantly increasing annual vegetable yields compared to traditional open-field cultivation.
(2) Fruit yield is considerable
Strawberries: Plant 50 to 100 plants per square meter, with a yield of 2.5 to 5 kilograms per square meter. In containerized plant factories, the strawberry growing environment is greatly optimized through precise control of temperature, humidity, light, and nutrient supply. The strawberry plants grow robustly, producing plump, brightly colored fruits that are highly sweet. Additionally, advanced techniques such as bumblebee pollination are employed to increase fruit set rates, further boosting yields. Compared to traditional open-field strawberry cultivation, the yield of strawberries in containerized plant factories can be increased by 30% to 50%, with superior fruit quality and a longer harvest period.
Blueberries: Each tree yields 10 to 15 kilograms per year. Blueberries have stringent requirements for their growing environment. In containerized plant factories, the soil pH, light intensity, and temperature can be precisely adjusted according to the growth characteristics of blueberries. Through substrate cultivation and scientific fertilization management, sufficient nutrients are provided to promote plant growth and fruit development. Compared to traditional planting methods, blueberries grown in factories produce larger fruits with better texture, higher yields, and effectively avoid pest and disease infestations, reducing pesticide use and producing greener, healthier blueberry products.
(3) Flower quality and yield are combined
Roses yield 6 to 10 kilograms per square meter, with high-quality flowers that meet diverse market demands. In terms of flower cultivation, containerized plant factories can adjust the flowering period and color of flowers through precise control of light cycles and quality. For example, by shortening the light duration, short-day flowers can bloom earlier; by adjusting the red-to-blue light ratio in LED plant lighting technology, rose flowers can have more vibrant and fuller colors. At the same time, stable environmental conditions reduce stress responses during the growth process, lowering the rate of flower deformities and significantly improving overall quality. Whether for cut flower markets or potted plant markets, the roses produced by Auma Agriculture's containerized plant factory have strong market competitiveness.
(4) Efficient production of forage grass
The planting area is approximately 100㎡, with a yield of 15㎏/㎡. A crop can be harvested in 7 to 10 days, and the daily output can reach around 150 to 215 kg, providing high-quality feed for livestock. In containerized plant factories, grass is grown using efficient cultivation methods such as hydroponics, which maximizes space utilization and improves land efficiency. Moreover, due to controlled environmental conditions, it is not affected by seasons or climate, allowing for stable year-round production of grass. The produced grass is fresh, juicy, and rich in nutrients, with protein content 10% to 20% higher than that of traditionally grown grass, offering better feed for livestock, promoting their growth and development, and enhancing breeding efficiency.
6. Practical application case display
(I) Shanghai Jiao Tong University Project
Carefully plan the layout of container planting and equip with advanced facilities. Four layers of 14 planting units can accommodate approximately 1,892 plants, with each harvest cycle taking 25 to 28 days, yielding about 7.5kg per day. All energy consumption data are clearly recorded, providing strong support for agricultural research and practice on campus. In this project, students and researchers use containerized plant factories to conduct various crop planting experiments, studying the impact of different growing conditions on crop growth. By analyzing experimental data, they optimize planting schemes, not only increasing crop yield and quality but also providing valuable data references for agricultural research, fostering students' practical skills and innovative spirit.
(2) Strawberry container project
Using a three-row, four-layer, three-slot vertical planting system, approximately 1,842 strawberry plants were planted. From seedling to flowering and fruiting, it takes only 45 to 60 days, with an annual yield of about 4,600 kg and a daily output of 12 kg. Each kilogram consumes about 10 kWh of electricity, achieving efficient strawberry cultivation. The project collaborates with local strawberry distributors to supply freshly picked strawberries directly to the market. Due to their high quality and excellent taste, these strawberries are highly favored by consumers, leading to good economic returns. Additionally, the project team continuously optimizes planting techniques and equipment management, reducing energy costs and improving production efficiency, making the strawberry cultivation project more sustainable.
(3) Forage container project
2 multi-layer three-dimensional sprinkler planting equipment, with a planting area of about 100㎡,7-10 days per crop, capable of producing 1500kg, with a daily output of around 150-215kg. The growth cycle lasts 6 days, and the yield can reach 7.5 to 8.5 times that of seeds. The daily electricity consumption is approximately 40-50 kWh, or about 4 kWh per kilogram. This project brings new breakthroughs to forage production. It primarily serves nearby livestock farms, ensuring a stable supply of forage to meet the feed needs of animals and improve breeding efficiency. Additionally, the project employs an intelligent management system.
