In plant factories, well-planned and stabilized production of leafy vegetables, fruit vegetables, and other useful plants is made possible by controlling environmental factors, such as light, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, nutrients, and air distribution, and by analyzing and monitoring plant growth. Plant factories are divided into two types: enclosed facilities using artificial light and facilities with sunlight.
R&D Center for the Plant Factory at Osaka Prefecture University (PFC) is one of the most advanced R&D centers that specialize in the research of plant factory using artificial light in Japan. PFC is made up of four buildings: Buildings C20 and C21 constructed as research facilities in March 2011, Building C22 constructed as a new-generation plant factory in September 2014, and Minamihanada Lab. (OSP&PFC Second R&D Center) constructed as a feasibility research facility in October 2019.
Aiming to realize the society that SDGs mean, PFC has set a vision of “contributing to resolving food and environmental issues by advancing urban greenhouse horticulture, focusing on plant factories capable of controlling a cultivation environment.” We are engaged in the missions of (1) promoting R&D and technological developments through industry-government-academia collaboration, (2) developing human resources through education and training programs, (3) conducting awareness-raising activities aimed at promoting the spread of plant factories, and (4) supporting production sites. Reaching its eleventh year since inception, this center has been into the third phase. We are now working on research and development projects to realize fully automated production and human resource management systems using AI and ICT technologies. Our other R&D efforts include exploring cultivation techniques for functional plants, as well as searching for new species with an eye on production.
To develop human resources, PFC has systematically offered working professionals basic, practical and applicative seminars in cooperation with a consortium, and also provides active support for “Minor subjects for Plant Factory Science”, part of undergraduate education at the university.
As visibility promotion and dissemination activities, PFC has willingly hosted tours for the general public, whether individuals or groups, in addition to offering study tours for researchers from around the world. Also, PFC has participated in various exhibitions, and organized idea recipe contests targeted students and other events , striving to actively disseminate information.
As plant factories are getting more recognized in the society as one of new industries, PFC is committed to further strengthening cooperation with the consortium to actively provide technical solutions and on-site consultation.
We sincerely ask for your continued support and cooperation so that PCF may actively develop education and research activities and make major advances with significant research outcomes, as one of the world-leading R&D centers.

September 2020

Director of R&D Center for the Plant Factory