"Our indoor farming systems are fully automated and modular to meet the needs for high-quality produce, variable expansion and minimal effort," adds Jörg Trübl, Environmental engineer and member of the board of Mabewo Ag.
The Swiss Mabewo group of companies is working to develop indoor farming solutions with modular facilities for the production of lettuce, micro greens, mushrooms and herbs, which are operated and continuously optimized under the Mabewo brand Food & Energy Campus.
Jörg Trübl
Promoting local food production
In 2021, the first indoor farming facility opened at the Food & Energy Campus in Gross-Gerau, Germany, providing fresh, healthy vegetables to local plates. The Mabewo group of companies focuses on innovative and sustainable solutions by using clean electricity for crop production with the help of photovoltaic systems.
Jörg explains that strengthening regional and decentralized agricultural production is necessary to make proven agricultural structures fit for the future. It is about nothing less than empowering farmers.
"However, no indoor farming mega-centers with several 10,000 square meters of cultivation area are to be built, but small to medium-sized facilities are to be integrated at the farmers' premises," Jörg points out.
With its participation in the Swiss company, MSP Construction AG, Mabewo is working on the development of 'innovative indoor farming solutions'.
"Highly qualified hardware and software engineers work together with plant farmers, mechatronic engineers and designers developing new types of indoor farming systems. Automation, process control and the interface between technology and plants are the focus of our work," says Jorg.
There is no question that agriculture must become more sustainable. "In view of the climate and energy crisis, this can only mean a rapid expansion or use of decentralized, renewable energies and an expansion of local food production," Jörg points out.
Adding renewables to indoor farming
The company's so-called Green-Domes combine solar energy and indoor farming. Inside, the plants grow under ideal conditions, automized farming modules ensure ideal growth conditions for plants, while the solar panels on the roof ensure the energy supply.
The European Union is also pursuing further independence from energy, food and fertilizer imports with the European Green Deal. Business groups such as Mabewo also see potential in the technology for use in emerging countries, where the supply of food is often still problematic.
"Through innovation and technology, Green-Dome’s sustainable production methods produce vegetables and herbs locally and organically, using solar energy and hydroponics. Eat better, live better," Jorg concludes.
Cocnluding, Mabewo likes to unite with companies that work on the development and operation of sustainable production processes. Resources such as land, soil, water and nutrients must be conserved and used effectively. "The key is to combine indoor farming and local supply with renewable energies."
For more information:
Mabewo Ag
info@mabewo.com
www.mabewo.com