Purple Farms was founded by Brahmmjyot Singh Kalsi and Satya Raju. They are based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, and Brahmmjyot explains the concept of fogponics. "We are literally the first commercial indoor vertical farm using something called fog pumps. This is a relatively new concept in the soilless farming sector. It picks up where hydroponics left off," says Brahmmjyot.
"Traditional hydroponic systems often struggle with growing root vegetables, but fogponics addresses this limitation. Unlike hydroponics, fogponics can successfully cultivate root vegetables such as potatoes, garlic, and beetroot, alongside other crops that hydroponics already supports," he explains. This is ideal for countries like India, where climate change is making outdoor farming increasingly difficult.
Using all the space
"We can go up to 20 to 30 feet high in the air," Brahmmjyot notes. "Right now, we're trying to figure out how to get ourselves up there to harvest the crops, but our crops can definitely grow that high."
This vertical stacking enables Purple Farms to maximize their production area, turning 4,400 square feet into the equivalent of 13,000 to 14,000 square feet. This optimization leads to lower production costs and a more sustainable model. "The higher we go, the cheaper our production cost becomes," Brahmmjyot explains. "With these systems, we can compete directly with traditional farming, as our prices are at par, and we're still making a decent profit."
Minimal environmental impact
Unlike traditional farming and certain controlled environment systems, the company's fogponics system does not rely on herbicides, pesticides, or harmful fertilizers. Additionally, fogponics uses 98% less water compared to traditional farming methods. "In an area of 200 square feet, you only require 250 liters of water a month," Brahmmjyot points out. This drastic reduction in water usage makes Purple Farm's system far more environmentally friendly and efficient, especially in water-scarce regions.
Faster growth and higher yields
Fogponics offers impressive advantages in terms of crop growth speed and yield. For example, lettuce, which typically takes 90 days to grow in a traditional farm, can be harvested in just 30 days using this system. Moreover, the system allows for multiple harvests from the same plant. "With our system, we can harvest potatoes three to four times from the same plant," Brahmmjyot explains. "This increases our margin and makes the process more sustainable."
Purple Farm's ability to control the growing environment also allows them to cultivate a diverse range of crops, from leafy greens like lettuce and bok choy to fruiting crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and capsicum. "We can even grow exotic crops like Miyazaki mangoes, a variety from Japan," Brahmmjyot says. "We can control the climate to grow cold-weather crops in warmer regions and vice versa, decreasing carbon footprints and transportation costs," he adds.
Growing and selling their technology
While Purple Farms' farming systems enable them to grow high-quality produce, the company also focuses on selling its technology to other growers and businesses. "We are an agritech company, so we sell the technology as well as the produce," Brahmmjyot shares. "This dual approach provides us with a broader reach in the market. People like to see how technology is implemented by the creators."
The company also plans to expand its business model by offering franchise opportunities. "Starting in March, we will launch a franchise option that provides end-to-end solutions, including the technology, training, and even a guaranteed sales channel. We tell our franchisees what to grow, and we buy everything back from them. That way, they don't have to worry about marketing or where to sell the produce," Brahmmjyot explains.
Purple Farms is also preparing to expand beyond India. "We are planning to open a satellite office in the Netherlands, targeting the Middle East, the US, and Canadian markets," Brahmmjyot reveals. The company aims to market their fogponics systems globally, providing not just the technology but also training for farmers who wish to adopt this new farming method.
For more information:
Purple Farms
gopurplefarms.com