Australian grower brings in Canadian greenhouse tech
Wide Open Agriculture is a new business based in Arthur River, 200 kilometres south-east of Perth, an area frequented by dry spells, extreme heat and frost.
At the moment, no one else in the region grows horticultural crops because of the conditions, but the business has brought in a greenhouse from Canada to help with that problem.
Managing director Ben Cole says there could soon be an extensive operation throughout the state.
"This is what we are calling our pilot plant, but it's very much a commercial pilot plant," he said.
Surrounded by kilometres of grain paddocks, the half-hectare-sized greenhouse is home to tomatoes, lettuce, capsicum, cucumber and herbs.
It is hoped to feed up to 20,000 people by servicing the five major towns surrounding Arthur River.
Mr Cole said the plan was to sell to farmers markets, as well as the major Perth farmers market.
He said they were the only people to be working a horticultural operation in a nearly 200 kilometre radius.
Read more at ABC Rural