Farm thrives in city basement

May 8, 2008

Farms Thrives in City Basement TOKYO, Japan (CNN) — A farm in the middle of a busy financial district might seem like a strange concept, but that is exactly what you will find under one skyscraper in downtown Tokyo.

The 1,000 square meter farm is based in a former bank vault in the basement of a 27-storey building in Otemachi, Tokyo’s central business district.

Using hydroponics, more than 100 different crops are grown in the subterranean farm.

The experiment, launched in February, is part of a campaign by leading Japanese temporary recruitment agency Pasona.

It aims to raise public awareness about agriculture and train Tokyo’s jobless — many of whom lost their jobs during the Japanese banking crisis — in the business of commercial agriculture.

Pasona spokesman Keisuke Nemoto told CNN that the farm, called “Pasona 02,” operates out of six rooms spread across two underground floors in the building, where Pasona’s headquarters are based.

More than 100 different types of plants, including flowers, vegetables such as tomatoes and lettuce, and even rice, are grown there.

Story “The fluorescent light is diffused throughout the room by the silver foil paper on the walls and three farmers harvest the vegetables and keep the plants healthy,” he said.

“We can electronically control the environment to provide the best conditions for organic rice cultivation.”

The harvest is supplied to restaurants in the building.

Nemoto told CNN that the project had helped raise an understanding among Japanese people about agricultural activities.

“Our country needs more farm workers so we built this facility here in the city so many urban people can now get an opportunity to experience farm work and learn about agriculture.”

More than 100 people visit the farm daily and the company is considering opening more in future.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for people to understand more about agriculture. Overall, it’s a great success,” Nemoto said

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