Filipino-Dutch flower farm operator Phinl Corp. launched Asia’s first and only fully-contained and computer-controlled indoor hydroponic tulip farm in Quirino province.
The facility is designed to grow up to 6,000 stems per batch of tulips. The facility supports 42 workers who undertook upskilling courses to support the company’s expansion plan.
“The success of Phinl’s climate-controlled tulip farm in the country demonstrates our commitment to innovation and sustainability in agriculture. We are proud to welcome pioneers in this field and look forward to contributing to the growth of the local floral industry,” said BOI executive director for industry development services Corazon Dichosa.
The project in Maddela, Quirino marks a significant milestone in the local agricultural industry as it is able to successfully grow quality tulips in a sub-tropical climate. Tulip flower bulbs are usually found in countries with mild to moderate climates.
The Philippines imports tulip bulbs from the Netherlands and New Zealand, which are stored in a cold storage facility to ensure optimal preservation.
Phinl adopts a technology that is similar to hydroponics, a farming technique using water and air without soil.
The facility operates in a completely closed environment, ensuring full control of temperature, humidity and light intensity. The unique approach allows for year-round production, constant quality and higher yields compared to traditional outdoor or greenhouse methods.
Phinl Corporation’s climate-controlled tulip farm signifies a remarkable leap in agricultural innovation and sustainability. By harnessing cutting-edge technology and expertise, the project not only showcases the Philippines’ capacity for innovation, but also bolsters the country’s agricultural sector, providing employment opportunities and contributing to economic growth.
“The Phinl project is a clear example of our initiatives at the BOI, in collaboration with the DA, that champion sustainability in the agricultural industry. We have been registering projects that are scalable and leverage the latest technologies. In fact, in the last quarter, we have registered projects on integrated dairy farms, modern vegetable farms, and hybrid seed productions, among others,” said Trade Secretary and BOI chairman Alfredo Pascual.
He said that most of the registered agriculture projects are located in areas with existing challenges.
The BOI has registered agriculture-related projects such as commercial irradiation facility; pesticide, herbicide and fungicide drone sprayers for banana and pineapple plantations; production of natural foliar fertilizers in Batangas; bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts production; vegetables farms using hydroponic technology; and hybrid rice propagation project in Kalinga province.