Recently, Smart Oasis, a Ukrainian vertical farming company, has successfully launched its products and is now piloting 'a commercially promising business model' for sales of living herbs under the brand name Localista with one of the largest Ukrainian Food chains, SILPO.
Using such an approach, Silpos' customers can buy living herbs that keep their freshness, smell, and taste and continue their growth even after harvest. "This business model is based on our modular farms powered by fogponics and CEA and has fewer than four years of ROI," says Aleks Prykhodko, founder and CEO of Smart Oasis, a Ukrainian agtech provider.
"We have started with a supply of our signature Localista Green Basil and Red Rubin Basil mix." The company aims to add other culinary herbs and greens such as rocket, red oak leaf lettuce, and spinach to our collection. They will all be supplied as living herbs and living salads to maintain their freshness.
Increasing operations
Smart Oasis is in talks to see how they can support their consumer demand in five more locations throughout the country. Their farm modules can produce 140,000 units annually, and with improved efficiency, they are anticipating increasing this to 200,000 units.
"Our immediate target is to scale up production to 30 farm modules in the next six months. We are also developing 'in-store' farming solutions to reduce the resources used associated with food transport, food loss and -waste," Aleks affirms.
On average, the plants grow within 30 days from seed to harvest. However, various plants thrive in varied conditions. It is important to create an optimal environment for the plants to germinate and grow in, Aleks explains.
Smart Oasis has some exciting projects in the pipeline for Ukraine and its partners in the United Kingdom. Currently, the company is exploring partnerships with retailers, hospitality- and catering firms. Yet, also existing food growers who they can support in the diversification of their crops and incomes.
"We are welcoming and motivating newcomers into the agricultural space who can use our technology to create new ways of addressing demand locally."
For more information:
Aleksey Prykhodko, Founder and CEO
Smart Oasis
Email: [email protected]
https://smartoasis.farm