Agriculture, which accounts for approximately 70% of the world’s freshwater, is facing challenges related to water scarcity and inefficient irrigation practices. Conventional irrigation methods not only waste water and nutrients but also negatively impact crop yields, contribute to food insecurity, and increase carbon emissions.
Based in Hong Kong, the agritech startup Full Nature Farms believes there is a more effective solution. At CES 2025, the company introduced the Rocket 2.0 Smart Irrigation Platform, a system designed to utilise data and AI, resulting in a 30% reduction in water costs, lower energy usage, and enhanced crop yields.
Founded by CEO Ray Lok in 2019, Full Nature Farms emerged after Lok established Evergreens Republic, a USDA-certified organic aquaponics farm aimed at sustainable farming. His previous venture attracted interest from real estate developers and government agencies searching for alternatives to limited arable land.
Rocket 2.0 has been specifically developed for vertical farming operations and functions as a standalone irrigation system. It integrates sensors that monitor crop yields, soil health, and climate conditions with AI and weather forecasts, enabling precise, automated irrigation scheduling. This innovative platform is set to revolutionise commercial farming, impacting sectors from landscaping and parks to community farms and vineyards.
Full Nature Farms credits its competitive edge to its in-house developed technology ecosystem, which encompasses automation controllers, software, LED grow lights, precision growth pipes, a comprehensive sensor stack, and an integrated farm management platform.
The startup has established a strong presence in Hong Kong, using intelligent agricultural technology to grow crops such as edible flowers and microgreens supplied to over 100 Michelin-starred restaurants and hotel groups. Currently, Full Nature Farms’ products—including its Eden 2.0 cultivation system with sensors, LED grow lights, and automated control features—are being adopted across Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom, with plans to expand into North America.
The introduction of its latest agricultural technology product has garnered the CES 2025 Innovation Award in the Sustainability and Energy/Power category. This achievement comes amid a resurgence in funding for the sector following lows in 2023 and early 2024, according to PitchBook data.
