Phase 2 of the Controlled Environment Hydroponic Research and Development Centre (CEHRDC) came into operation today (July 26). Phase 2 of the CEHRDC and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) are showcasing three newly introduced hydroponic cultivation technologies as well as three crops that were successfully cultivated with controlled environment hydroponic technology.

     An AFCD spokesman said, "Phase 2 of the CEHRDC has been set up to demonstrate the latest agricultural technologies to the industry and actively co-operate with local research institutes and universities. It also serves as a training venue for the industry to facilitate knowledge transfer and develop agricultural technologies, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the industry."

     The spokesman said that the three new hydroponic cultivation technologies featured in Phase 2 of the CEHRDC are the Mobile Hydroponic Cultivation System, the Aeroponic Cultivation System, and the Automated Hydroponic Cultivation System, which is a joint research and development project with the Chinese University of Hong Kong. All of these systems can make optimal use of space, reduce manpower and further enhance productivity.

     The Mobile Hydroponic Cultivation System can make the best use of limited work space, which in turn increases the cultivation area and yield. By monitoring and managing various environmental parameters remotely via the remote control system of the cultivation racks, manpower can also be reduced. The Automated Hydroponic Cultivation System can carry out repetitive production procedures precisely for farm operators, thus effectively saving human resources. Farmers can schedule cultivation tasks to be carried out during non-office hours via a user-friendly task scheduling system, raising flexibility in planning production.

     In addition, the rotary Aeroponic Cultivation System adopts a sprayer irrigation system so that the volume of irrigation water can be reduced and the number of grow lights can be minimised, resulting in lower electricity consumption when compared to conventional hydroponics. With a lightweight and easy-to-assemble structure, the system can be used in a limited space.

     The spokesman continued, "Two kinds of vegetables and an edible flower have been successfully grown in Phase 2 of the CEHRDC recently, namely watercress, purple pak choi seedling and calendula. Watercress grows fast and three harvests can usually be made within two months, Purple pak choi seedling is a new hybrid variety, which is rich in anthocyanin and has a soft and tender texture. Calendula is rich in lutein, and can be used in desserts or scented tea. The three crops are rich in nutrients and suitable for different dishes. They are easy to grow and the harvesting can be carried out between 24 and 50 days. By using controlled environment hydroponic technology, they can be produced all year round."

     To boost technical knowledge transfer and attract the young generation to join the agriculture industry, the CEHRDC launched the Hydroponic Cultivation Pilot Attachment Programme this year for the first time. The programme provides professional knowledge in operating indoor controlled environment hydroponic farms and opportunities for hands-on experience to potential investors, start-up farmers or local tertiary students who are interested in joining the hydroponic agricultural sector. For enquiries on the programme, please contact the CEHRDC at 2708 3878 or via email at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

     The CEHRDC was set up as a joint initiative by the AFCD and the Vegetable Marketing Organization in 2013. Through research and demonstration of advanced technology and facilities in hydroponics, the CEHRDC provides references for the trade and interested investors. CEHRDC staff also pay regular visits to different hydroponic farms to provide technical support. The CEHRDC is also proactively engaged in research and development, including selecting and testing new varieties to broaden the spectrum of local hydroponic vegetables and offer more choices to the market.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Controlled Environment Hydroponic Research and Development Centre today (September 10) announced that certain out-of-season winter vegetables and fruits including cherry tomatoes, strawberries and spinach have been successfully grown with controlled environment hydroponic technology.
 
     The Agricultural Management Officer (Agro-technology) of the AFCD, Dr Kevin Wong, said, "Winter crops like to grow in cool weather and hence the produce in winter is of better quality. But with controlled environment hydroponic technology, they can grow steadily throughout the year. It helps to extend the crops' supply periods and raise farmers' income in summer (the low season), and the fact that the crops are produced indoors can also provide extra protection and avoid the effects of climate and pests on the yield."
 
     The winter vegetables that the Centre has introduced included three varieties of cherry tomatoes. They are not only rich in nutrition, but also have different flavours and textures. The three varieties have sweetness between 8.5 and 10.6 degrees Brix and can be consumed as fruits. Furthermore, the cherry tomatoes can be harvested multiple times and the harvesting period can be as long as a year.
 
     Another winter fruit variety successfully grown is the strawberry. It is often used in cooking and in making jam and various kinds of desserts. It is popular in the market and has high production value. The strawberry variety grown this time has an average sweetness of around 11 to 12 degrees Brix. The harvesting period is as long as 10 months and can cater for different needs of the market.
 
     The Centre has also introduced two new varieties of spinach. Spinach likes cool weather. With controlled environment hydroponic technology, the crop is easy to grow and the harvest can be made after 28 to 30 days. The textures of the two varieties of spinach are tender and smooth and of good quality. In addition, the supply period of the seeds of ordinary spinach is short. The different supply periods of the seeds of these two varieties can help enhance the flexibility of the trade in purchasing and selecting seeds, therefore extending the supply period of spinach.
 
     The Centre was set up as a joint initiative by the AFCD and the Vegetable Marketing Organization in 2013. Through research and demonstration of advanced technology and facilities in hydroponics, the Centre provides references for the trade and interested investors. Staff of the Centre also visit different hydroponic farms regularly to provide technical support. The Centre is also proactively engaged in research and development, including selecting and testing new varieties to broaden the spectrum of local hydroponic vegetables and offer wider choice to the market.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Controlled Environment Hydroponic Research and Development Centre (Hydroponic Centre) announced to the agricultural industry today (November 22) that two new technologies, namely the Changeable Spectrum Grow Light Technology and the Nano Bubble Technology, can effectively enhance the growth rate of hydroponic vegetables. Four new vegetable varieties which have been successfully grown recently at the Hydroponic Centre using controlled environment hydroponic technology were also introduced.
 
     Since its inauguration in 2013, the Hydroponic Centre has served as a demonstrator of advanced hydroponic technology and facilities for the industry and investors. With a view to enriching the variety of hydroponic vegetables grown locally and offering more options for the market, it has also carried out research and development (R&D) work including the selection and testing of new varieties.
 
     The Agricultural Officer (Horticulture) of the AFCD, Mr Chan Siu-lun, said, "Trials of the Changeable Spectrum Grow Light Technology and the Nano Bubble Technology have been jointly conducted by the Hydroponic Centre and the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited (NAMI). NAMI is a research centre designated by the Innovation and Technology Commission. NAMI makes use of light emitting materials to develop grow light with desirable growth spectrum suitable for planting. The proposed spectrum can be adjusted to fit different growth stages of plants. This can enhance the growth of vegetables. Trial results revealed that with the support of the spectrum, the growth of red oak leaf lettuce sped up 20 per cent, red coral lettuce sped up 30 per cent, and green oak leaf lettuce and green butterhead lettuce sped up at least 50 per cent."
 
     With the Nano Bubble System designed by NAMI, the Nano Bubble Technology can increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in water, which can enable seedlings and plants to grow faster. With the help of this system, the seed germination rates of different vegetables in the Hydroponic Centre are able to increase between 3 per cent and 36 per cent, and the growth of hydroponic vegetables using the system also sped up significantly.
 
     Moreover, the Hydroponic Centre also shared four new varieties, namely 60-day choy sum, hok tau pak choy, spinach and shan kwai choy, with the industry. 60-day choy sum, spinach and shan kwai choy have been introduced from the Mainland, Japan and Taiwan respectively, while hok tau pak choy is a local variety. With their unique tastes and textures, in addition to high nutrition value, these vegetables are ideal for making different types of dishes. Production for these varieties is simple, taking 28 to 48 days to harvest depending on the individual variety. By using controlled environment hydroponic technology, they can be produced throughout the year. These new varieties have been introduced to hydroponic operators who are encouraged to try growing them. Technical support is provided by the Hydroponic Centre when necessary.
 
     Meanwhile, members of the public can purchase the hydroponic vegetables through the mobile application "Local Fresh" of the VMO.
 
     The Senior Agricultural Officer (Crop Development) of the AFCD, Ms Wendy Ko, said, "In recent years, the AFCD has been proactively exploring different modernised production methods to enhance development of the local agricultural industry. We hope the Changeable Spectrum Grow Light Technology and the Nano Bubble Technology can be widely used in the future to speed up the growth of crops effectively."
 
     Ms Ko noted that under the New Agriculture Policy, the Government will continue to promote the R&D of applied technology for agricultural production and facilitate knowledge transfer so as to achieve diversification in the mode of production for local vegetables. This would be conducive to enhancing competitiveness as well as the modernisation and sustainable development of the industry.