Virtual Center of Excellence launched for smarter farming in Asia

Signify is launching its first global virtual horticulture knowledge center. The center will provide research insights and advanced lighting solutions for growers in Singapore and the region that will help Singapore and Asia produce local, pesticide-free vegetables grown in a sustainable way.

The center aims to enable urban growers to access knowledge, expertise, and Signify's portfolio of products and services. Research insights gathered since 2015 by Signify’s physical research hubs, the GrowWise Center in Eindhoven, and BrightBox in Venlo will also be made available over this virtual center.

"The center covers all critical knowledge required to successfully build a vertical farm or modern greenhouse including plant science, lighting application, Internet of Things control, and engineering design. Through the center, we also aim to grow our presence in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region," the Signify team stated.

Signify seeks to support Singapore’s “30 by 30” goal to build up its agri-food industry’s capability and capacity to produce 30% of nutritional needs locally and sustainably by 2030. "With the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), we will boost the ability of local vegetable growers to achieve high-quality crops and higher yields by tapping into the more than 150 growth recipes we have developed and the center’s research bank to implement technology such as integrated climate control systems that create the ideal growing conditions for crops."

“Signify is committed to bringing more than 80 years of experience in horticulture lighting and our spectrum of science-based lighting solutions to help growers in Asia navigate challenges in indoor farming. The Center of Excellence will act as a one-stop knowledge and expertise resource supporting farmers to move towards sustainable food production,” said Rami Hajjar, Cluster Leader for South-East Asia, Signify.

“The success of any urban farming endeavor requires not only the right technological solutions but knowledge in optimizing growth recipes that determine the ideal growing conditions for achieving better results. Through the new Center of Excellence, Signify will share insights cultivated over many years of research to growers in Singapore and put them on the best possible path to achieve higher yields, enhanced taste, and increased level of nutrients and vitamins in crops,” said Jitender Khurana, Country Head and Managing Director, Signify Singapore.