In a quest to create a greener and brighter future, Robinsons Offices, the developer of premium, sustainable, and future-ready offices under Robinsons Land Corporation, has committed to collaborate with FarmTop to develop “sky farms” in strategically located office buildings around the country.
“By tying up with FarmTop, we are able to offer alternative means to healthy eating. We can provide the space, expand the market, and create jobs for urban farmers,” said Jericho P. Go, Robinsons Offices Senior Vice President and General Manager.
Inspired by the latest vertical farming technologies developed in Vietnam and Israel, FarmTop (Farm-to-Plate) seeks to address the growing demand for fresh produce delivered directly to consumers. Under the “Farm-to-Plate” concept, fresh vegetables are grown much closer to where they are consumed, typically within a 5-kilometer radius, minimizing the carbon footprint that traditional farm-to-market routes typically entail.
Executives from Robinsons Land and FarmTop celebrate the inaugural harvest from Robinsons Offices’ first “sky farm”. From left: Ramon Rivero, RLC Head of Corporate Planning and Strategy; Cora Ang Ley, RLC Head of Corporate Property Acquisition; Johnson Tan, contract farm partner, FarmTop; Beverly Tan, contract farm partner, FarmTop; Jericho P. Go, Robinsons Offices Senior Vice President and General Manager; Lance Y. Gokongwei, JG Summit Holdings President and CEO; Danny Dy, FarmTop President; Lala Dy, FarmTop Vice President for Finance and Administration; Ron Rodrigo, RLC Head of Investor Relations; and Elton Peralta, Robinsons Offices Head of Special Projects.
Each rooftop farm can produce as much as five tons of vegetables a month, estimates Danny Dy, FarmTop President and CEO. The yield can serve the wider market of condominiums, offices, schools, hotels, and restaurants within its vicinity.
Robinsons Offices’ involvement in urban farming also demonstrates its dedication to employees’ well-being. “We recognize the power of eating healthy in boosting productivity and promoting overall wellness,” said Go.
By providing its workforce with access to fresh produce, the company practices the ethos that charity begins at home. This initiative not only promotes healthier living among its employees, it also creates a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.
Cultivating a Healthier Tomorrow
Robinsons Offices’ collaboration with FarmTop aims to raise awareness on how rooftop farming or controlled environment agriculture is a technology-based method of producing food. Through hydroponics or soilless farming in a controlled environment, crops are sustained by water, carbon dioxide, light energy, and nutrients instead of conventional soil and pesticides.
The soilless method, also referred to as “post-organic”, reduces the risk of attacks from soil-based pests and weeds. By cultivating seeds in trays and racks, rooftop space is optimized, allowing for greater yields per square meter and a shorter growth time.
This method encourages the younger generation to become farm scientists by bridging traditional practices with modern technology. These cutting-edge agricultural techniques maximize crop yields and resource efficiency. They often require less land, less water, and fewer pesticides compared to traditional farming, making them more environmentally friendly and economically viable.
Employing these techniques in rooftop farms turns an underutilized space into a productive asset. Another plus is that by introducing greenery in the city, these urban farms act as natural coolants, mitigating the heat generated by clusters of buildings and pavements in densely populated areas. Moreover, as the plants undergo the process of photosynthesis, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere. This not only enhances the immediate air quality in the vicinity but contributes to the overall reduction of carbon emissions in the environment.
Robinsons Offices’ inaugural rooftop farm, the first of many to come, was unveiled on October 10, 2023, at 10 a.m. in Robinsons Cyberscape Alpha. The date, marked as a perfect “10/10”, is a testament to the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, community empowerment, and unwavering dedication to creating a more sustainable world.
For more information on Robinsons Offices, visit robinsonsoffices.com
To learn more about vertical farming or order from FarmTop, visit farmtopshop.com
