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Argos brings global expertise to local fields, using advanced technology to tackle extreme conditions and food security challenges head-on.

Agriculture

Argos Greenhouse Solutions, an Israeli pioneer in agritech, has been redefining modern farming since 2005

Designing and delivering turnkey greenhouse systems for regions as diverse as Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, Argos brings global expertise to local fields, using advanced technology to tackle extreme conditions and food security challenges head-on.

“High-quality produce, grown locally, using world-class technology” is more than just a slogan — it’s the foundation of their work. At the Israel–South Africa Agritech event, business development manager Bar Sharon shared how controlled-environment agriculture is not just a luxury but a necessity in regions where traditional farming simply cannot survive.

“We’ve had to design greenhouses that can withstand everything from -10°C snowy winters to 50°C scorching summers. These are greenhouses, highly engineered environments capable of year-round production in climates where conventional farming fails,” Sharon noted.

One such success unfolded in Central Asia, where Argos’ climate-controlled greenhouses delivered lush vegetables in the depths of winter. These projects were made possible through precise design, customised structures, and advanced environmental control systems tailored to local extremes. Argos never applies a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, every project begins with market demand, followed by crop selection, greenhouse design, and a viable business model. According to Sharon, this strategy ensures that their solutions are grounded in real-world economics.

But the company's scope goes well beyond greenhouse construction. From initial design to post-harvest infrastructure and even training, Argos helps clients build entire agricultural ecosystems. In Indonesia, Argos partnered with local authorities to equip rural farmers with solar-powered greenhouse kits to grow habanero chillies. These compact, off-grid systems use gravity-fed irrigation and solar panels, allowing communities with limited infrastructure to run self-sustaining, profitable farming operations.

“We can supply post-harvest packing houses, sorting machinery, cold storage, and even training programs. This is about building sustainable agricultural ecosystems for the client,” Sharon explained.

Affordability is also key. Argos strives to make high-end technologies cost-effective for both commercial and smallholder growers. “Innovation doesn’t help if it’s not profitable,” Sharon said. “These aren’t charity projects. They’re sustainable, revenue-generating ecosystems that create jobs, strengthen food security, and support local economies.”

Sharon’s relocation to South Africa marks a bold step in Argos’ commitment to expanding across Africa. With its vast range of climates and a growing need for reliable food systems, the continent presents immense potential for controlled-environment agriculture. The company is actively seeking local partners to launch pilot projects and showcase what their solutions can achieve.

Though greenhouses remain Argos’ core strength, their expertise now includes open-field irrigation systems, including their own line of sprinklers currently being distributed in India — with plans to expand further.

Argos Greenhouse Solutions is helping redefine what’s possible in agriculture. By merging local production with global standards, they are proving that with the right technology, top-quality produce can be grown just around the corner no matter the climate. As Sharon put it, “When you walk down the supermarket aisle, we want you to pick up something new: something that looks like it was imported from Europe, but was actually grown just down the road.”

The event brought together over 300 industry experts. (Image credit: Sigenergy)

Aquaculture

Sigenergy, a key player in renewable energy innovation, recently showcased its modular commercial and industrial (C&I) solar-storage system at Sigenergy Day APAC in Hainan

The event brought together over 300 industry experts, partners, clients, and media professionals to explore the evolving landscape of solar-storage technology. A particular highlight of the event was a tour of a new aquaculture project powered entirely by solar and storage technology—demonstrating a bold step forward in sustainable energy applications beyond traditional sectors.

The seawater fish farming project, located in Hainan, uses Sigenergy’s advanced C&I inverters and the SigenStack energy storage system to power its operations. With a setup integrating 6 MW of solar power and 5 MWh of storage capacity, the project shows how clean energy can be effectively used in the demanding environment of aquaculture. It is a significant case study for how renewable energy can reduce operational costs and support environmental goals in industries that depend on consistent and intensive energy use.

This fish farm, focused on cultivating the high-value Leopard Coral Grouper, requires stringent control over its operating environment. Maintaining stable water temperature, constant oxygen supply, and controlled lighting is essential to the survival of the fish. These needs drive high energy consumption, with the farm using around 43,200 kWh daily and more than 15 million kWh annually. Sigenergy’s system drastically cuts the farm’s reliance on the grid and offers a cost-effective, environmentally conscious energy solution.

The site posed several logistical and environmental challenges that traditional energy systems could not solve. However, Sigenergy’s modular design provided key advantages. Space was a major limitation, with narrow corridors between ponds making bulky container systems impractical. The compact, plug-and-play nature of Sigenergy’s solution allowed it to be easily installed without wasting valuable space.

Transport and installation were also simplified. As the site is located near water networks, heavy machinery access was impossible. Sigenergy’s lightweight units, which don’t require cranes, enabled the system to be fully set up in just four days. The sandy soil also posed structural concerns, but the modular design allowed even weight distribution, reducing foundation stress and ensuring safety.

Being just 300 metres from the sea, the site is exposed to salt-heavy air and humidity. Sigenergy’s equipment is built to last under such harsh conditions, with IP66 and C5-M protection ratings that provide high-level resistance to corrosion and ensure long-term performance.

This deployment not only delivers reliable and clean energy for the aquaculture industry but also stands as a scalable model for energy transformation in other complex, high-demand environments.

The system is capable of cleaning up to six tiers of cages. (Image credit: Kohshin Engineering Co.)

Equipment

The Venus 2.0 is an advanced cleaning robot built to improve hygiene in poultry houses by significantly reducing the need for manual labour

Designed with ease of use and durability in mind, it delivers reliable cleaning performance with minimal human intervention.

The system is capable of cleaning up to six tiers of cages, handling heights of up to four metres. It operates smoothly in aisles ranging from 0.6 to 1.4 metres wide, making it suitable for various poultry house layouts. The robot is operated through a tablet interface, which allows users to set, repeat, and monitor cleaning routines in real time with ease.

A key feature of the Venus 2.0 is its specially designed rotating nozzle system. As it moves vertically, it targets hard-to-reach spots that are often missed with manual cleaning. Lab tests have confirmed its superior cleaning results compared to traditional methods.

Thanks to its large-diameter wheels, the robot can clean long aisles—up to 100 metres—without manual repositioning. It’s equipped with a hose reel that works in sync with the robot, automatically adjusting as it moves to keep operations seamless and hands-free.

Powering the system is a high-pressure pump developed by Kohshin, operating at up to 25 MPa. The pump uses a crank mechanism for stable performance and minimal maintenance and can also be used manually if needed.

Venus 2.0 is engineered to handle both single- and double-sided cleaning, depending on the aisle setup. It uses 15 to 30 litres of water per minute, weighs around 220 kg for the main unit and 190 kg for the hose reel, and runs on single-phase power.

Technologies can improve farming efficiency and strengthen the supply chain.

Infrastructure

Nezar Patria, Deputy Minister of communication and digital affairs, has stressed the vital role of artificial intelligence (AI) and data in transforming Indonesia’s agricultural sector.

He highlighted that strong digital infrastructure is the foundation for achieving sustainable agriculture across the country.

“To really take advantage of AI power and data, a strong digital infrastructure is very important. This includes evenly distributed broadband access and an inclusive digital platform for farmers and agri-food business actors,” Nezar said during an official broadcast.

He emphasised that digital transformation in agriculture is not about following global trends, but a strategic move to address national food security challenges. Technologies such as smart sensors, drones, automation, and predictive analytics can significantly improve farming efficiency, reduce waste, and strengthen the supply chain from production to distribution.

“AI and data can revolutionize our entire agri-food ecosystem,” he added.

To support this transformation, the ministry of communication and digital affairs (Komdigi) is speeding up the expansion of digital infrastructure in rural areas. The ministry is also promoting digital literacy and working closely with universities like Gadjah Mada University (UGM) to advance research, training, and the development of technology-based solutions for agriculture.

Nezar called on academics, farmers, and all stakeholders to join forces in strengthening national food sovereignty. “AI and data are bridges to Indonesia’s more productive, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural future,” he concluded.