“We chose to set up our next location in the city center of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as it was the perfect spot to reach out to the dense urban population there,” says Eleanor Choong, COO with Sunway XFarms in Malaysia. The company is planning to construct a 38,000 sq. ft. (3530m2) vertical farm later this year, located inside the 33-story Sunway Tower and aims to produce more than 10 tons of produce per month.
Eleanor Choong
Vibrant new farm for the neighborhood
“Sunway Tower was an ideal place for us as it is strategically located near to our target customers and also a unique opportunity to transform an old office building into a vibrant urban farm,” Eleanor says. The company is looking to offer its signature premium salad lettuces, Asian greens, kale, fruity vegetables, and microgreens, all tailored to consumer demand. The team has also been speaking to both potential customers and partners in the area to launch more varieties in the future.
Rendering of the farm
Designed in-house by the team at Sunway Farms, their very own hardware and software will be used to support the operations of the farm. Hence the company is confident that the systems meet both the commercial and sustainable farm goals. “All of our climate systems have gone through vigorous R&D trials and automation is used to ensure the produce is consistent and high-quality for our customers whilst minimizing resources,” Eleanor adds.
Malaysia eyes healthy food
Hopes are up for this new farm that is expected to be a great addition to the region, offering nearby consumers, restaurants, and hotels same-day harvest, high-grade, and fresh food. Eleanor adds that “Consumers are becoming increasingly more health-conscious and mindful of their diets. Malaysia has the highest prevalence of obesity and heart diseases in the region, hence the growing demand for healthy and fresh produce.”
Produce from the farm
According to Eleanor, it is rewarding that the farm will allow greater independence for Kuala Lumpur’s population. “As a country that imports more than 55% of vegetables and is going through challenging times due to the global food shortage, we see that there is no better time to scale up and contribute to local food security. As urban farmers, we take pride in knowing that we impact not only our food production levels but also our population's health goals. We will continue to work toward our goal of a more positive and lasting impact on future generations.”
For more information:
Eleanor Choong, COO
SunwayXFarms
https://sunwayxfarms.com