Key Takeaways
- Kubota Corporation has opened a new urban agriculture marketing office at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
- The office, named KUAMO, will support U.S. sales and market development of Kubota’s Plant Factory with Artificial Lighting (PFAL).
- KUAMO is equipped with closed-type cultivation systems developed by PLANTX Corporation.
- The initiative focuses on local market research, partnerships, and business development on the U.S. East Coast.
- Kubota aims to address supply chain, climate, and urban food production challenges through PFAL solutions.
Kubota Opens KUAMO at Brooklyn Navy Yard
Kubota Corporation announced the establishment of a new marketing office dedicated to its Plant Factory with Artificial Lighting (PFAL) business in Building 77 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York City. The office, named KUAMO (Kubota Urban Agriculture Marketing Office), is intended to serve as a base for promoting PFAL solutions and advancing business development activities in the United States.
KUAMO is equipped with artificial-light cultivation systems developed by PLANTX Corporation, a company in which Kubota holds an equity interest. The office will support marketing activities, local market research, and the identification of potential customers and partners for Kubota’s plant factory operations.
Focus on Urban Food Production and Market Development
KUAMO will utilize the PLANTX closed-type plant cultivation system to conduct crop production trials and gather insights into local market needs. According to Kubota, the office will play a central role in evaluating demand for PFAL solutions and supporting commercialization efforts across the U.S. market, particularly on the East Coast.
Harutoshi Niki, General Manager of KUAMO, said, “We are truly excited to explore new opportunities for PFAL from the heart of Brooklyn Navy Yard—an innovation hub that represents the future of sustainable urban development.” He added that the initiative aims to support hyper-local and resilient food production systems.
Lindsay Greene, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, noted that the Navy Yard hosts a diverse ecosystem of innovative companies and welcomed Kubota’s presence as part of the campus’s collaborative environment.
Addressing U.S. Supply Chain and Climate Challenges
Kubota cited structural challenges in the U.S. food system as a key driver behind the initiative. Major fruit and vegetable production areas are concentrated on the West Coast, while large population centers are located on the East Coast, resulting in long transportation distances, higher logistics costs, reduced freshness, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
At the same time, agricultural production on the West Coast faces growing risks from climate change, including drought, water scarcity, labor shortages, and population-driven resource constraints. These factors create challenges for maintaining a stable and sustainable national food supply.
Role of PFAL Technology in Kubota’s Strategy
PFAL systems grow crops indoors using LED lighting and tightly controlled environments, enabling year-round production independent of weather conditions. This approach allows for high productivity in limited urban spaces. Kubota highlighted that the PLANTX system uses small, sealed compartments to maintain precise environmental control, supporting consistent quality and higher yields compared with conventional PFAL approaches.
Kubota stated that KUAMO will serve as a strategic base to advance PFAL marketing and business development in the United States, supporting efforts to promote stable, efficient, and locally produced food systems through indoor agriculture technologies.
