700177Evogro Ltd - Farmino Proof of MarketClosedGRD Proof of MarketInnovate UKThe objective of this project is to assess the commercial viability of the Farmino concept. The Farmino is a small-scale, plant-growing appliance, combining hydroponics, LED lighting & intelligent automation. The Farmino is intended to enable consumers to grow their own high-quality vegetables with the minimum of space and effort. The Farmino concept is modular, scaling from a small, single person unit to a large unit suitable for restaurants, hotels and pubs. The Farmino offers the following benefits to consumers: - Better Taste Our research and informal market testing suggest that crops grown in the Farmino have better taste and texture than standard commercial alternatives. Freshness is the most significant factor and nothing beats just-picked. Also the ability to optimise environmental conditions, particularly light levels, delivers strong, healthy plants. - Better Nutrition Leafy salads are important dietary sources of vitamins, antioxidants and other beneficial phytochemicals. Many of these compounds are lost quickly post-harvest despite the use of refrigeration & modified atmosphere packaging. The Farmino allows consumers to pick produce just before eating, thereby maximising the nutritional benefit. - Reduced Waste A 2009 study of UK Households Food Waste found that the most frequently wasted category among fresh vegetables was Lettuce & Leafy Salads with 52% of all purchases, or £234m in value, avoidably wasted annually. This does not include losses in the supply chain or in the food service sector. The Farmino offers the potential to eliminate this type of waste by providing living plants that can be picked only when needed. - Consistent Supply The Farmino enables consumers to enjoy a consistent supply of high-quality, just-picked vegetables all year round, without the problems of adverse weather, pests and diseases. The Farmino system makes optimal use of space and minimises the time & effort required.