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Turkmenistan has taken another significant step towards advancing high-tech agriculture with the launch of a modern greenhouse complex in the Balkan province.

The new facility has been constructed and commissioned at the Nurly meýdan farming enterprise in the Bereket district, underscoring the country’s growing focus on sustainable food production and agricultural innovation.

The opening ceremony brought together a wide range of attendees, including representatives of the Balkan province and Bereket district administrations, members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, public organisations, deputies of the Mejlis, members of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council), respected elders, and local residents. The event reflected the importance of the project for both regional development and national food security.

During the celebrations, builders who played a key role in completing the project were honoured with valuable gifts presented on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan. The ceremony was enlivened by traditional songs and dances performed by local artists, creating a festive atmosphere that highlighted the cultural significance of the occasion.

Following the elders’ blessing, guests were invited to tour the greenhouse and explore its advanced infrastructure and production systems. Spanning an area of 10 hectares, the complex is complemented by fully landscaped surroundings and a range of technical and auxiliary facilities designed to support efficient operations.

The greenhouse is equipped with cutting-edge agricultural technologies supplied by companies from the Netherlands, Türkiye, Greece, Italy, Spain, and other countries. With an annual production capacity of up to 2,000 tonnes of tomatoes, the facility is expected to make a substantial contribution to domestic food supply.

Elite tomato seeds imported from European countries have already been planted and are beginning to produce their first harvest, highlighting the project’s strong production potential and its role in strengthening agricultural development and food security in the region.

The Philippines has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its position in global aquaculture with the launch of its largest crayfish nursery—a flagship development designed to scale production of the high-value Australian Redclaw crayfish.

The project, built through the partnership of Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., Taiwan’s Da Shin Biotech Ltd., and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), marks a defining moment for the country’s fast-growing aquaculture sector.

The new nursery will focus on mass-producing Cherax quadricarinatus, a resilient and fast-growing species prized by both domestic and international markets. Government officials say the initiative supports national efforts to strengthen food security while boosting long-term livelihood opportunities in rural areas.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., in remarks delivered by Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa, highlighted the power of collaboration behind the facility. “Built through the partnership of Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., Da Shin Biotech, and the DA-BFAR, this nursery shows that when government, private innovators, and fisherfolk come together, progress stops being a dream—it becomes our shared reality,” he said.

Tiu Laurel added that crayfish aquaculture “opens new doors for our fisherfolk—bringing in more income, more livelihood, and more food on our tables,” while underscoring the need for responsible production and adherence to BFAR’s ecological protection guidelines. Every pond, he said, must “nurture care, discipline, and respect for the balance of our ecosystems.”

Situated in Candaba - a wetlands area renowned for its freshwater abundance—the 1,280-square-metre facility features 16 tanks capable of producing up to 48,000 fry every two weeks. It also introduces advanced water-recycling systems that help reduce waste and conserve freshwater, addressing one of the most common environmental criticisms of aquaculture operations.

The nursery will supply Farm Fresh’s existing 3-hectare grow-out ponds, which already produce around 30 tonnes of market-ready crayfish each year. It will also support a broad network of partner growers as production expands nationwide.

From 2026, Farm Fresh plans to roll out large-scale grow-out operations covering 1,500 hectares in Luzon and 750 hectares each in the Visayas and Mindanao. When these sites reach full capacity, they are projected to deliver more than 1,200 tonnes of crayfish every six months—volumes that could position the Philippines as a competitive player in the regional and global aquaculture market.

Crayfish provide a nutrient-dense, low-impact protein source that requires minimal feed. The project is expected to generate over 3,000 direct jobs and stimulate additional enterprise in farming communities.

The launch marks the beginning of a world-class crayfish industry designed to place the Philippines firmly on the global aquaculture map.

As climate volatility continues to challenge modern horticulture, greenhouse operators are increasingly turning to advanced evaporative cooling technologies to maintain consistent growing conditions.

LUBING GreenTec’s Fogging- and Pad-Systems are designed to deliver precise climate control, supporting healthier crops, improved yields, and sustainable greenhouse management.

At the heart of the solution is high-pressure fogging technology. “LUBING GreenTec's high-pressure Fogging-Systems use direct evaporative cooling by injecting water at 70–100 bar through specialized nozzles, producing droplets smaller than five micrometers," Alexander Eugen, Deputy Head of Sales and Export at LUBING GreenTec, explains. "These droplets evaporate rapidly, lowering air temperature and raising humidity without wetting the plants."

By enabling ultra-fast evaporation, the system helps stabilise the vapour pressure deficit (VPD), a key metric in reducing plant stress and unlocking maximum growth potential. Thanks to its modular configuration, the fogging system can be tailored to greenhouses of varying sizes and adapted to diverse climatic zones. It can operate as a standalone solution or in combination with pad cooling, allowing growers to fine-tune conditions across different greenhouse areas.

Pad cooling applies the same evaporative cooling principle through a different process. “Air is drawn through wetted pads, and as part of the water evaporates, the air is cooled and humidified,” he explains. “Our water distribution ensures even wetting across the pad surface, which enhances cooling efficiency while reducing energy use.”

LUBING GreenTec Plastic Pads are engineered for long-term durability. Their advanced material structure supports uniform water flow, resists UV exposure, and allows cleaning with high-pressure washers, significantly extending lifespan compared to conventional paper pads.

Automation plays a crucial role in efficiency. “Both the Fogging- and Pad-Systems integrate seamlessly with climate computers, which process temperature and humidity sensor data to trigger activation automatically,” he notes. “Our systems also support zone control, so different areas of the greenhouse respond independently to local conditions. This enables growers to coordinate fogging or pad cooling with ventilation, shading, and CO₂ delivery for optimal results.”

Durability and ease of maintenance remain central to the design philosophy. “Components are made from stainless steel to resist corrosion, while modular pump assemblies and clip-profile pad mounts simplify servicing.” He adds, “In practice, growers report that our systems require relatively little maintenance, and our technical support helps minimize downtime.”

Proven results reinforce the value of these systems. A tomato greenhouse in Mexico recorded a yield increase of around 25% under extreme heat, alongside a 15–25% reduction in operating costs. Across Europe, flower growers in Germany, Italy, and Switzerland have maintained ideal humidity levels of 50–80%, improving crop quality and streamlining climate management.

Sustainability remains a key focus. The high-pressure fogging system maximises evaporation, reducing overall water consumption, while the Plastic Pad-System is manufactured from recycled materials and designed with low-pressure loss to cut fan energy use—making LUBING GreenTec a future-ready choice for climate-smart greenhouses.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has designated seven provinces Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeollanam-do as the first-ever “Green Bio Industry Promotion Zones” in accordance with Article 15 of the Act on the Promotion of the Green Bio Industry.

This milestone marks a significant step in the Republic of Korea’s strategy to strengthen its green bioeconomy and drive sustainable industrial growth.

Introduced for the first time this year, the Green Bio Industry Promotion Zone system is designed to establish a comprehensive, region-led framework for business support. The initiative is built around provincial hubs where green bio companies, universities, research institutes, and essential infrastructure for technology verification and certification are closely integrated. Through this clustered approach, local governments are expected to play a leading role in nurturing innovation, accelerating technology transfer, and supporting market-ready solutions.

The selected zones were evaluated and designated following a rigorous assessment process. Key criteria included industrial growth potential, implementation capacity, policy relevance, and overall feasibility. This ensures that each province is well positioned to contribute effectively to the national green bio strategy while leveraging its own regional strengths and resources.

The green-bio industry itself is regarded as a next-generation growth engine, encompassing six major sectors: microorganisms, natural products, food materials, insects, seeds, and veterinary medical products. With the designation of the Green Bio Industry Development Zones, collaboration networks among provinces are expected to deepen. In parallel, processes for verification, evaluation, certification, and commercialisation of green bio technologies and products are set to accelerate, helping to create a dynamic and competitive innovation ecosystem.

MAFRA plans to support the designated provinces by granting eligibility to participate in government-funded infrastructure development projects, including the Green Bio Venture Campus and advanced biofoundries. In addition, policy incentives will be provided to companies operating within the zones, further encouraging private-sector participation and investment in sustainable bio-based industries.

To ensure accountability and continuous improvement, MAFRA will receive quarterly performance reports from the local governments managing the designated zones. Annual performance evaluations will also be conducted to closely monitor implementation progress. Importantly, the results of these evaluations will be reflected in the formulation of policies for the following year, reinforcing a results-driven and adaptive governance approach.

Through these measures, the ROK aims to position itself at the forefront of green bio innovation, fostering regional development while advancing a resilient, sustainable bioeconomy aligned with global green growth trends.