"The future of farming lies in cities"

Plant Factory, co-founded by Halil Beşkardeşler and three partners in 2014, has since developed from a research-focused initiative into a commercial enterprise specializing in vertical farming. They supply advanced farming systems directly into retail spaces, making fresh, locally grown produce more accessible for their end users.

Their vertical farm is located within İstinyePark, a premium shopping mall on the European side of Istanbul. "Our goal is not just to grow crops but to make vertical farming part of the urban fabric around here," Halil explains. The 1,500-square-meter facility uses hydroponic systems and LED lighting to grow a variety of leafy greens and herbs, such as lettuce, kale, basil, and parsley.

"We are located within a high-traffic mall with over 40,000 daily visitors, making it easy for consumers to see where their food comes from. Visitors to the mall can witness our growing process firsthand."

"The location also allows us to reduce supply chain lengths, ensuring fresh produce while also minimizing water usage and carbon emissions. The setup ensures optimal growth conditions year-round," Halil adds.

Going commercial
Halil and his team have been diligent in scaling operations to meet the growing demand for locally produced, pesticide-free vegetables. "By partnering with high-end supermarkets, restaurants, and local grocery chains, we try to ensure that our products reach health-conscious consumers across Istanbul. We are constantly trying to improve, and every step shows us what's possible in urban farming," Halil says.

In addition to its retail partnerships, Plant Factory has embraced e-commerce to cater to modern consumers who prioritize convenience. "Through a partnership with online marketplaces, Tazemasa and Tazedirekt, we offer home delivery, ensuring that fresh produce is accessible to even more customers."

The company's transition into commercialization was boosted by a €2 million investment in 2021, which enabled the creation of their mall-based farm and allowed them to develop fertilizer recipes and production efficiency further. Halil credits this investment with providing the financial support needed to establish a scalable model. "This investment allowed us to open our first commercial facility and focus on developing our growing recipes," he shares.

"We are exploring opportunities both locally and internationally, where vertical farming can address both food security and sustainability. We already have partnerships underway to replicate our vertical farming model in other urban centers across Europe and the Middle East," Halil shares. "We also know we can't just replicate but also adapt to each market when expanding."

Continuous innovation
Halil recalls the early days of its humble 40-foot container, which served as its first R&D center: "Despite having no prior agricultural experience, we were determined to innovate." This drive for improvement remains central to the company's ethos, as it constantly fine-tunes its production methods, tests new crops, and explores better ways to deliver fresh produce to consumers.

"What began as an ambitious exploration into vertical farming has now evolved into a very busy commercial enterprise," Halil reflects.

Halil remains confident that the future of farming lies in cities, where vertical farming can provide a solution to the growing challenges of urban food production. "We want to bring vertical farming to every city, offering local, fresh, and sustainable produce to communities worldwide," he states.