Introduction
peaq blockchain has partnered with KanayaAI and DualMint to launch the world’s first tokenized vertical robo-farm in Hong Kong. This innovative project combines AI-driven automation with real-world asset tokenization to create a sustainable agriculture model. Community members can now join a waitlist to co-own the farm through NFTs and earn yields from its operations.
Key Points
- The vertical farm achieves 12 annual crop cycles versus 3-4 in traditional farming, using AI robotics to reduce labor costs by 50% and increase output by 20%
- NFT ownership tokens on peaq blockchain provide approximately 20% APY based on farm revenue, with a public waitlist now open via DualMint
- The facility uses proprietary vertical design to operate with 10x land efficiency and 90% less water consumption while being completely pesticide-free
A New Model for Sustainable Urban Agriculture
The partnership between peaq, urban agritech firm KanayaAI, and tokenization platform DualMint represents a significant advancement in sustainable agriculture. Located in a prime Hong Kong area, the semi-autonomous vertical farm is designed to supply fresh vegetables to local residents through a subscription service. The facility will grow crops such as lettuce, kale, and spinach across approximately 12 cycles per year, significantly more than the three to four annual cycles typical of traditional farming.
The farm’s efficiency stems from its AI-powered robotics and hydroponic systems, which are expected to reduce labor costs by up to 50% while increasing crop output by 20% compared to conventional farms of similar size. Dr. Princeton Wong, CFO of KanayaAI, highlighted the strategic advantages: “Vertical farms provide a far more eco-friendly alternative to traditional farming, made cheaper and more efficient through advances in robotics and AI. They are a perfect solution for major urban areas like Hong Kong, where space must be used as efficiently as possible.”
The proprietary vertical design allows the facility to use land ten times more efficiently and consume only one-tenth of the water, all without pesticides. These environmental benefits align with Hong Kong’s broader ecological sustainability goals while addressing the challenges of food production in densely populated urban centers.
Tokenization Meets Real-World Asset Investment
Through DualMint, ownership in the farm is represented by NFTs on the peaq blockchain, entitling holders to yields based on the farm’s revenue. The public waitlist for these tokens is now open via DualMint and the peaq Portal, offering early access to those who register in advance. The expected annual percentage yield (APY) for participants is around 20%, creating an attractive investment opportunity grounded in real-world economic activity.
Bill Lee, co-founder and CEO of DualMint, emphasized the resilience of this model compared to traditional crypto investments: “The beauty of Boring Robots is in their immunity to crypto market swings. The demand for everyday groceries has nothing to do with where crypto prices are today or tomorrow, which makes this system a healthy, sustainable foundation for growth and yields.” This approach represents a significant shift toward connecting blockchain-based investments with tangible, real-world assets and revenue streams.
The tokenization model enables urban communities to co-own the very farms that bring fresh produce to their tables daily. As Dr. Wong noted, “Tokenization enables urban communities to co-own the very farms that bring fresh produce to their tables every day.” This community-driven approach represents a fundamental reimagining of how urban agriculture can be funded and owned.
The Future of Automation and Community Ownership
Scheduled to become operational in Q4 2025, the farm will automate approximately 80% of manual farming tasks using AI and robotics. This marks a significant step forward in integrating physical AI-intelligent robotics with blockchain infrastructure, a trend highlighted by the World Economic Forum as key to the next wave of industrial automation.
Leonard Dorlöchter, co-founder of peaq, framed the initiative within the broader context of technological disruption: “The rise of AI and robotics puts the world on a new trajectory, accelerating the automation process a thousandfold. What we announced today is not just a breakthrough in technical or business terms, but an alternative route for humanity in the context of the Age of AI and Automation. This is a way for us all to share in the coming prosperity promised by AI and robotics.”
The project supports peaq’s broader vision of enabling community participation in the Machine Economy. Through tokenization, individuals can co-own and benefit from income-generating machines such as autonomous farms, stores, and service robots. DualMint has indicated plans to bring additional tokenized robotics, dubbed “Boring Robots,” to peaq in the near future, further expanding this ecosystem of decentralized ownership models in the automation age.
📎 Related coverage from: co.uk