The produce the firm purchases from farmers is processed at its facilities in West Java, after which it is sold to clients within the country, as well as exported to Singapore, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The company has multiple greenhouses and several research farms.
RESEARCH A CRUCIAL FACTOR
Research and development (R&D) is crucial in determining agriculture productivity and affects food prices.
Muhammad Ifdhol Syawkoni, the hydroponic R&D manager at Beleaf Farms, told CNA that even details such as how many holes there are in each hydroponic system, have to be carefully researched.
“It can’t be, ‘Oh, there are a lot of holes on this, let’s use all’, because the standard is that this is the medium where the roots grow. If the medium is too small, it will be washed away by water in the production area. If it’s too big, we’ll incur too much cost,” he explained.
Beleaf Farms has secured nearly 40 partner farmers so far, but getting them on board in the first place is not always easy.