Greeting

Keihanna Vegetable Co., Ltd.
Representative Director
Yushihisa Ike

　According to the opinion of global ecologists, food supply through agriculture, fisheries, livestock, etc. in the natural environment of the earth is limited to about 5 to 6 billion people. At present, the world's population has reached 7.5 billion people, and has already exceeded the functions of the global environment itself. Under these circumstances, the industrialization of agriculture is inevitable. Plant factories are one means of industrializing food production, and are certainly a necessary business for the future of the world.

　Since our founding, we have worked on the industrialization of agriculture as a creative future industry, and worked to create new markets. What we have been particular about is that it is delicious and of high quality.

The quality of conventional plant factory vegetables was lower than that of outdoor vegetables. This was due to the fact that the technology of open-field hydroponic cultivation was used almost as it was for the production of plant factories, and the marketing of the quality and taste of vegetables from the consumer's perspective was not paid attention to. In addition, we believe that the reason is that the development of the necessary engineering technology has not progressed.


　As you know, vegetables grown using traditional Japanese farming methods, low nitrate and natural farming, are of high quality and delicious. However, due to recent unseasonable weather and global warming, it is gradually becoming difficult to ensure quality. In addition, many years of experience with diseases, insects, fertilization, climate, etc. peculiar to the production area are required for production, but the problem of lack of successors to agriculture is becoming a serious problem.

　Based on plant physiology research, it is clear that antioxidants contained in vegetables vary greatly depending on environmental factors. Plant factories can be controlled based on plant physiology. In recent years, the amount of vegetables eaten has decreased in Japan. With the aging of society, industrialization of delicious vegetables with high antioxidant value has social significance and is thought to contribute to a healthy society in the future.

　Various business operators are participating in plant factories by making large capital investments. However, due to the closed relationship between business operators, there are unfortunately cases where companies have entered the plant factory business without understanding basic technology. AI technology development is progressing while many businesses still haven’t grasped important information on liquid fertilizer components necessary for plant growth. Also, in terms of automation technology, if products are developed without considering the operation and characteristics of vegetable cultivation, it will be difficult to put them into practical use.

　The technologies required to operate a plant factory include agricultural science such as plant physiology, nutrient solutions, and analysis, engineering for construction, air conditioning, watering, etc., mechanical and electrical control for metal and plastic processing, LEDs, and automation systems. There are various fields such as plant cultivation operation and hygiene management work. Although there is nothing that can be called a particularly advanced technology, it is an accumulation of low technology that takes time to master, and it is also a large-scale infrastructure business.

　I have been involved in plant factories for more than 15 years, and although I am a small venture company, I am openly providing the know-how of growing high-quality vegetables at the plant factories that I have cultivated.

　There is still no national policy or system in place for plant factories. Under these circumstances, we would like to cooperate with people in various industries to create a market for high-quality healthy vegetables such as high antioxidant value and low nitric acid, thereby commercializing plant factories and leading to new industries. . And through that, I hope that I can contribute to the problem of Japan's food security.

Career

Graduated from Waseda University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Architecture in 1998. First-class architect Founded after gaining practical experience in small, medium, and large-scale plant factories at a foreign-affiliated consulting firm and a plant factory business company.

Company

CompanyKeihanna kenkoyasai Co., Ltd.
Main office15-6 Jyotsukaiden, Ueno-cho, Muko-shi, kyoto-fu

Research and development base, Kyoto Prefectural University Seika Campus

Representative Director
Yushihisa Ike
First-class architect (No. 343778)

Business license, Construction Business, Machinery and Equipment Installation Business No. 41795
TEL075-275-0249
Capital20 million yen
EstablishedOctober 2015 (individually founded October 2012)
ProjectsCultivation research and development of high-quality healthy vegetables with high antioxidant value and deliciousness Plant
factory Development, design, manufacture and sale of cultivation plants

Media

September 26, 2016Kyoto Shimbun morning edition
November 9, 2017Nihon Keizai Shimbun morning edition
December 15, 2017Yomiuri TV "Kansai information net ten"
March 6, 2018TV Osaka evening news
January 29, 2018NHK Kyoto area "Kyoichi Nichi News 630"　
Later Kansai area "News Hot Kansai"
National area "Good morning Japan"
April 18, 2018Broadcast worldwide on NHK WORLD JAPAN

Speaking Engagements

June 2017Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Venture Support Morning Meet UP
Osaka Innovation Hub 75th "Agriculture"
November 2017National Research and Development Agency New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization NEDO Pitch
MUZA Kawasaki Central Tower 21st "Agrifood"
February 2018Tokyo Sangyo 21 Kick Kyoto Next-Generation Manufacturing Industry Employment Creation Project
Keihanna Open Innovation Center (KICK)