Singapore unveiled the world’s tallest indoor vertical farm, Greenphyto, on 07/01, 2026. Rising 23.3 meters over five storeys, the $80 million farm occupies 2 hectares in the Jurong West industrial area and can produce 2,000 tonnes of greens annually at full capacity.

AI and Robotics Drive Fully Automated Farming

Greenphyto is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced manufacturing robots, with only harvesting requiring human labour to ensure neat packaging. The farm features five unmanned chambers, each containing two 118-meter-long hydroponic towers stacked with over 500 racks. Purple crane-like robots monitor crops and move seedling trays between racks.

The farm uses LED lighting technology that adjusts for each batch of crops, reducing energy use by 30 percent while supporting crop growth at different stages. Nutrient formulas are customized for each crop within the hydroponic towers.

Retail Presence and Waste Reduction System

Since early 2025, Greenphyto has supplied kailan, Mambo lettuce, Japanese chye sim, baby spinach, and arugula to 95 supermarkets, including FairPrice and Sheng Siong. A 200g pack of kailan costs $3.95, while 100g of leaf lettuce costs $3.20.

The farm operates on a make-to-order system, growing vegetables only after retailer orders are confirmed. This system reduces waste while ensuring fresh, high-quality produce. Founder Susan Chong said, “In business, no customer will give you any guarantee or any assurance, but you have to make it happen by producing good-quality produce, and producing something that the consumers want.”

Global Expansion and Technology Spin-Offs

Greenphyto plans to sell its AI software and farming system internationally, with offices in Malaysia and the Netherlands. Its AI system monitors crop health, measures germination rates, predicts yields, and sends alerts to farm staff for timely action.

The company also plans a technology spin-off, Arber.ai, to provide consultancy for farms and SMEs to adopt digital solutions.

Government Support and Industry Recognition

The farm’s official opening was attended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad highlighted that Greenphyto’s automation, energy efficiency, and export initiatives work in its favour.

The project is also supported by the Singapore Food Agency’s Agri-food Cluster Transformation Fund, which helps local farms adopt technology and increase productivity.

PHOTO: CMG/BUSINESS TIMES

This article was created with AI assistance.