A gleaming beacon of hope for sustainable agriculture has risen in Singapore's Jurong West industrial area. Standing over 23 meters tall, Greenphyto has officially opened as the world's tallest indoor vertical farm, representing a triumphant 14-year journey of innovation and perseverance.

The facility is nothing short of remarkable. This $80 million, five-story marvel combines artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation to create a fully automated hydroponic farm that can produce up to 2,000 tonnes of fresh greens annually at full capacity. What makes this achievement even more inspiring is that shoppers can already find Greenphyto's produce in 95 stores across Singapore, including FairPrice and Sheng Siong supermarkets, under the Hydrogreens brand.

Behind this extraordinary venture is founder Susan Chong, whose determination and vision have brought this dream to life. Rather than being discouraged by challenges facing the vertical farming industry, Chong used setbacks as learning opportunities. "It made me more determined to make it happen and do it differently," she explains, demonstrating the resilience that defines true innovation.

What sets Greenphyto apart is its smart approach to sustainable farming. The facility has achieved an impressive 30 percent reduction in energy consumption through clever innovations, including custom LED lights that use less power and intelligent lighting systems that adjust brightness based on each plant's specific needs. This isn't just good for the environment—it's good business.

The farm's make-to-order system is another brilliant solution, growing vegetables only after securing orders from retailers. This approach dramatically reduces waste while ensuring maximum freshness for consumers. Shoppers can enjoy kailan, lettuce, Japanese chye sim, baby spinach, and arugula, all grown locally with minimal environmental impact.

Greenphyto's success story gained even more significance when President Tharman Shanmugaratnam attended the official opening, recognizing the farm's potential to contribute to Singapore's food security and sustainability goals. With 69 patents protecting its innovative technologies, the company isn't stopping at local production—it plans to share its farming system and AI software globally, potentially transforming agriculture worldwide.

What's truly heartening is how Greenphyto demonstrates that high-tech farming can be both sustainable and profitable. By focusing on quality produce rather than just technology for technology's sake, Chong has created a model that others can follow. The farm proves that with the right combination of innovation, determination, and practical business sense, we can grow food more efficiently while protecting our planet.

As Greenphyto currently produces 200 tonnes annually and scales toward its full capacity, it stands as a shining example of what's possible when vision meets action. This isn't just a farm—it's a testament to human ingenuity and our ability to create sustainable solutions for feeding future generations.