Read the Digital Magazine

Farmers Lab Ltd. of Korea has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in controlled-environment agriculture with the launch of its BK Conveyor Culture (BKCC) system — a horizontally revolving vertical farming technology designed to address one of agriculture’s most urgent challenges: labour shortages.

As farming communities age and younger generations increasingly avoid work that involves harsh weather, long hours or inconsistent income, both traditional and indoor farms are struggling to find workers. Even modern vertical farms continue to depend heavily on manual labour, with fixed-rack systems requiring operators to climb ladders, stretch to reach upper trays and move repeatedly between narrow aisles.

BKCC aims to transform this reality by rethinking the vertical farming structure from the ground up. Instead of having workers move around the farm, the BKCC system rotates the trays horizontally, bringing crops directly to the operator. Planting, irrigation, harvesting and cleaning can all be carried out comfortably from a standing or seated position, reducing physical strain and improving overall safety. This human-centred approach allows farmers of all ages to work more efficiently, more comfortably and with far less risk.

The system has demonstrated the potential to reduce labour requirements by up to 70%, while also achieving 80% water savings compared to traditional fixed-rack vertical farming operations. BKCC’s simplified workflow reduces fatigue, increases output stability and produces more uniform crops thanks to consistent environmental control.

Operating within a carefully managed indoor environment, the BKCC system uses hydroponic precise irrigation, energy-efficient LED lighting, fully clean and soilless production and an intuitive IT dashboard for monitoring. Optional AI-driven growth analysis provides further insight for farmers looking to optimise yield and resource efficiency. These features make BKCC suitable for a wide variety of crops, including microgreens, leafy vegetables, sprouts, animal fodder and virus-free nursery plants destined for greenhouses or open-field transplanting.

The system has already proven its performance through successful trials and commercial operation in both Korea and Singapore, carried out through collaborative research and development partnerships. With consistent output and reliability demonstrated in real-world settings, new installations are now underway in Australia and additional international markets, signalling BKCC’s growing global presence.

Created with a strong social mission in mind, BKCC reflects the company’s philosophy: “Pride for Farmers, Future for Youth.” The technology supports older farmers by making agricultural work physically manageable, while offering younger generations a compelling entry point into clean, high-tech, sustainable farming. As many fixed-rack vertical farms struggle with complexity and rising operational costs, BKCC provides a simpler, safer and more accessible solution tailored to practical farming realities.

The Philippines is intensifying its efforts to ratify a landmark international treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), reinforcing its commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable marine resource management

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pledged full support to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in promoting the Senate’s concurrence to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Signed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the BBNJ treaty addresses the conservation and equitable use of marine resources in high seas and other regions beyond exclusive national control.

Although Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President ratified the agreement in 2024-a year after its global adoption - the treaty still requires Senate concurrence before the Philippines can officially participate.

Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture Secretary emphasised the agreement's relevance for the Philippines, said, “The BBNJ Agreement is crucial for conserving and sustainably managing marine biodiversity in areas beyond the Philippines’ jurisdiction, allowing the country to safeguard its rich marine ecosystems while ensuring fair access to and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.”

As a nation composed of over 7,000 islands and located near areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), the Philippines has a strong stake in the treaty’s success. It was an early signatory and active participant in the negotiation process, aligning with global conservation goals and the principles of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate stressed the strategic timing of the ratification: once approved by the Senate, the Philippines will be eligible to participate in the first Conference of Parties (COP1). This milestone event is expected to take place shortly after 60 countries submit their ratification instruments to the United Nations. As of late August, 55 nations have completed the process, with momentum building towards reaching the required threshold during the UN General Assembly from September 23–26.

The BBNJ treaty represents a critical tool for archipelagic nations like the Philippines—not only to influence global marine governance but also to safeguard marine ecosystems, promote fair benefit-sharing, and support the livelihoods of coastal communities reliant on ocean resources.

Due Diligence Horticulture (DDH) has unveiled Quantum Clear, a new range of cold plasma devices designed to combat the persistent problem of airborne pathogens in controlled environment agriculture.

Whether cultivating cannabis, ornamentals, or fresh produce, growers constantly contend with mould, bacteria and other threats particularly in humid rooms or tightly packed storage spaces. DDH’s latest innovation aims to change that balance.

Over the last two years, the company has worked closely with an industrial plasma specialist to adapt cold plasma systems specifically for horticultural and agricultural settings. The result is a suite of Quantum Clear (QC) units engineered for grow rooms, HVAC systems, cold storage, and shipping containers.

Travis Higginbotham of DDH explains that the technology already had a legacy in other industries, but needed refinement for plant environments. "We worked through two full years of design and testing so the equipment could function inside grow facilities, centralized HVAC systems, shipping trailers, and cold rooms," he says. That development period included USDA fruit trials, extensive third-party air-quality analysis on 50 pathogens, and pilot projects with large cannabis and ornamental producers.

A key advantage is that this plasma field does not generate ozone an issue that has hindered some older plasma approaches. The QC units carry both UL and CARB certifications, confirming that they are safe for plants and for staff working within indoor facilities.

The system is straightforward by design. Air is drawn through the device, passes through an energised plasma zone, and emerges treated. In that field, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species—such as hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide form naturally and break down airborne pathogens and volatile organic compounds. As Travis puts it, "The idea is to create a field in the environment that breaks down cell walls and alters the structure of certain compounds."

Fruit storage and shipping have been an early proving ground. "The combination of darkness, low temperatures, humidity, and tightly packed produce creates ideal conditions for mold," he notes. USDA trials on bananas, tomatoes, apples, and strawberries found that cold-plasma-treated shipments retained firmness and showed virtually no visible mould.

Importantly, DDH focused on ensuring safety for both crops and growers. Even at double or triple application intensity, "we did not see negative effects," Travis says. Some trials even hinted at neutral or improved yields. For cannabis operators, the technology offers a potential solution to airborne contaminants linked to compliance failures, including aspergillus. A recent grower trial showed a 90% drop in aspergillus counts within just four days.

QC devices are standalone, easy to install, and available in multiple sizes and voltages. There are no subscription costs, and financing options are provided. Across all trials, DDH reports an average pathogen reduction of 87.2% within a week, rising to 95%+ during continuous month-long operation. As Travis explains, "The focus is getting the technology in growers hands through our trial program and building confidence that QC is the solution they have been waiting for."

Malaysian agri-tech innovator Agroz Inc. has launched a groundbreaking AI-driven farming strategy designed to transform modern agriculture into a scalable and profitable asset class

Through its new Agroz OS platform, built on Microsoft Azure’s AI infrastructure, the company is redefining how crops are grown, managed, and distributed offering a smarter, greener path for farmers and investors alike.

The Agroz OS platform merges artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics to support vertical farming systems that use less land and water while producing clean, pesticide-free crops. This approach is particularly valuable for regions like Africa, where efficient resource use and reliable yields are key to long-term food security.

Agroz’s model treats food production as distributed infrastructure  modular, measurable, and investable. Its first commercial venture, developed with Harvest Today, LLC, uses patented Harvest Wall technology to demonstrate how vertical farming can bring fresh produce closer to urban centres while reducing environmental impact.

“We are building agriculture into the next great infrastructure class. With strong government incentives and the rapid adoption of agri-tech, this is the right time to show how technology, sustainability, and capital can work together to generate lasting economic and environmental returns,” said Gerard Lim, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Agroz.

Beyond its cutting-edge vertical farms, Agroz is introducing Agroz Copilot, an intelligent AI assistant that helps farmers make better real-time decisions - from predicting crop health to managing energy use. The system’s integration of automation and analytics means farmers can increase productivity while keeping costs low.

Agroz’s sustainable farming approach aligns with 10 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), earning recognition from UNDP Malaysia, ESG Malaysia, and several national innovation awards. With Malaysia’s 10-year income tax exemption for agricultural ventures under Budget 2026, the company is positioned to expand rapidly across Asia and, potentially, emerging African markets.

As Agroz continues to grow, it aims to make AI-driven, sustainable agriculture accessible for farmers everywhere - empowering them to achieve higher yields, improve soil health, and build a resilient food system for the future.