Agriculture, which accounts for approximately 70% of global freshwater consumption, is facing significant challenges due to water scarcity and inefficient irrigation systems. Traditional methods not only result in wasted water and nutrients but also contribute to lower crop yields, food insecurity, and unnecessary carbon emissions. In response to these pressing issues, Hong Kong-based agriculture technology startup Full Nature Farms has introduced its Rocket 2.0 Smart Irrigation Platform, a cutting-edge solution that leverages data and AI to optimize irrigation processes.
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, Full Nature Farms showcased its innovative platform, which is specifically designed for vertical farming operations. The Rocket 2.0 system integrates sensors measuring crop yield, soil health, and climate with AI and weather forecasts to deliver precise, automated irrigation control on a schedule. This integrated approach promises to reduce water costs by 30%, decrease energy consumption, and improve crop yields, making it a potential game-changer for commercial farming operations.
Full Nature Farms' CEO, Ray Lok, founded the company in 2019, building on his experience with Evergreens Republic, a USDA-certified organic commercial aquaponics farm. Lok's vision for sustainable farming has garnered attention from real estate developers and government offices seeking solutions for limited arable land. With the launch of Rocket 2.0, Full Nature Farms aims to disrupt the commercial farming industry, from landscaping and parks to community farms and vineyards.
The Rocket 2.0 platform is a standalone irrigation system that offers a comprehensive suite of features, including automation controllers and software, LED grow lights, precision grow pipes, a sensor stack, and an integrated farm management platform. This in-house developed tech ecosystem provides Full Nature Farms with a competitive advantage in the agtech sector.
In its hometown of Hong Kong, Full Nature Farms has established a reputation for cultivating high-quality crops, such as edible flowers and microgreens, for over 100 Michelin-starred restaurants and hotel groups. The startup's products, including its Eden 2.0 cultivation system, are being implemented across Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and the U.K., with plans to expand its presence to North America.
The debut of Rocket 2.0 earned Full Nature Farms the CES 2025 Innovation Award in the Sustainability and Energy/Power category, a testament to the platform's potential to transform the agriculture industry. This recognition comes at a time when funding to the agtech sector has seen a rebound from lows in 2023 and early 2024, according to PitchBook data.
The launch of Rocket 2.0 marks a significant milestone in Full Nature Farms' mission to revolutionize agriculture through innovative technology. As the global agriculture industry continues to grapple with the challenges of water scarcity and inefficient irrigation systems, the startup's cutting-edge platform is poised to make a meaningful impact on the sector's sustainability and productivity.
With its sights set on expanding its presence to North America, Full Nature Farms is well-positioned to drive meaningful change in the agriculture industry. As the agtech sector continues to evolve, the innovative solutions being developed by startups like Full Nature Farms will play a critical role in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.