The sweet strawberries of Bangkok

Q: How did you become a “Varmer”?
A: It started when I noticed the sky-high prices of roses in Thailand. As an entrepreneur, I started thinking about possibly growing roses indoors to address this challenge. It led me to ponder the contrast between houseplants that flourish indoors and their outdoor counterparts. This was when the idea of recreating outdoor conditions within indoor spaces took hold. Roses initially seemed like a feasible option, yet proved difficult to grow. Tulips became the next idea, yet tulip bulbs need months or weeks in cold storage before reusing. This also seemed far-fetched. Then I started reading into vertical farming, where the ideas took off. That is also when I got in touch with the AVF.

Q: Would you say curiosity can outweigh agricultural experience to embark on this path?
A: I guess so. While expertise expedites the journey, it’s not a prerequisite. We’re focused on cultivating strawberries, a field where I had zero prior experience. The first strawberry I planted inside our farm was the first strawberry plant I ever planted. This inexperience triggered fresh perspectives, though. Also, I found an amazing grower who is highly skilled at the technical part. Together with two more junior growers, they are focused on plant maintenance and growth. Everyone in vertical farming is trying to find better ways to start growing crops indoors. This means we all need to divert from standard outdoor ways.

Q: Why did you opt for Thailand as your operational base?
A: My spouse and I relocated from the Netherlands over five years ago for different work-related reasons than vertical farming. Yet, Thailand is an excellent country, perfect for vertical farming. Food issues need solving: soil degradation, airborne pollutants affecting crops, population upsurge, high chemical usage, and urban expansion demand an alternative approach to food production.

Q: Addressing Thailand’s food issues through strawberries might sound unconventional. Could you elaborate?
A: Yes, I get why that sounds weird – haha, but strawberries hold universal appeal; they’re synonymous with romance, along with champagne, chocolate, and maybe oysters. Since vertical farming is non-existent in Thailand, starting with strawberries would be a good idea to raise awareness. Yet, strawberries are among the most intricate indoor crops. Their growth encompasses plant development, foliage expansion, flowering, and fruiting. And then, when you get to that stage, you need a constant 24/7 flow of perfect red, sweet, heart-shaped strawberries. Had I known this beforehand, I might have reconsidered! (chuckles)

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Photo: Varmers

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