The Tech Tyfu Scale-Up project aims to provide vertical farming equipment and business support to vertical farmers across Wales, with a goal of developing food supply chains for fresh produce.

Tech Tyfu senior project officer David Wylie said: “As well as delivering bespoke, flood and drain vertical farming equipment, built by design engineer Wyn Griffith, we have been on hand for research and development, ran a series of ‘Meet the Buyer’ events and held stakeholder workshops for the cluster of growers, which reach across Wales.

“Together we have achieved a lot in a short space of time, and now the project has been extended we can build on those foundations and do even more to support the food and drink industry and local independent producers and growers across Wales.”

Among the growers to praise Tech Tyfu were Food & Drink Awards Wales ‘restaurant supplier of the year’ winners Chris and Donna Graves from Micro Acres Wales, based in Pontypridd. As well as crucial guidance and advice, they received equipment and support from Tech Tyfu that helped them develop micro greens using sustainable, water-based hydroponic methods.

The couple started growing microgreens after ”seeing something on social media” and began with a tray of radish on a windowsill. “From there things took off, we had to keep increasing the space it was taking up in the garage and now we are at the point of moving into a new 50ft x 28ft facility to accommodate the micro vegetables and edible flowers we are producing,” said Chris Graves.

“The help we had from Tech Tyu has gone beyond the equipment, they are only ever a phone call away and have been so encouraging, we really could not have done this without them,” said Donna.