Ayola

This interview details Ayola, an Agri-Tech company based in Turkey. The interview is with Nikita Makhalin, CEO of Ayola.

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What is the origin story of Ayola?

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In 2015, our interest in vertical farming led us to study the market, where we discovered that the primary market players were utilizing artificial LED lighting. Recognizing the potential risks due to potential rises in electricity tariffs, we began developing a system designed to harness natural sunlight. By 2016, we had created our first prototype system, confirming its potential and motivating us to further its development. Concurrently, we initiated the process of patenting our system.

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By 2017, our second model evolved into a small pilot farm, boasting several advantages over its predecessor. We introduced new components to the movement mechanics, integrated new materials into the semi-automatic control system, and more. This small-scale pilot farm instilled confidence in us, demonstrating the potential for scalability with necessary improvements and upgrades.

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The subsequent year was dedicated to calculations, sketching plans, and construction. After two years, in 2019, we successfully launched a fully operational greenhouse spanning 1000 m2, with the potential for expansion to 2000 m2. Our goal was to diversify our product range while enhancing production quality and efficiency. Despite the challenging times brought about by the global pandemic, we chose to persevere, refusing to halt system operations and development.

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Our dedicated efforts have yielded a patented technology, a fully stable automated system that we confidently offer to the world. We continue to expand our product range, elevate production efficiency, and explore other avenues. Notably, we've developed our bio-complex, eliminating the need for pesticides and fertilizers, thereby enhancing product quality and ensuring the safety of our employees.

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing Ayola in the future?

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Ayola falls under the category of know-how. People are skeptical about the know-how of technology because it takes time to gain the trust of society. Therefore, we are engaged in projects that we want to implement and thus confirm the benefits of our technology.

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What is unique about Ayola compared to competitors?

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We believe that our vertical conveyor farming technology allows us to replace traditional horizontal hydroponic farms. Some advantages are listed below:

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•Versatility and application in various industries

Our vertical conveyor farming technology is universal and allows you to dry vegetables and fruits and grow green vegetables, mushrooms, snails, silkworms, and other insects. It is possible to use the technology universally depending on the climatic conditions and the season. For example, in summer, dry fruits and vegetables; in winter, salads, green food, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and berries grow.

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• Efficient use of space

The technology of vertical conveyor farming allows you to automate processes and significantly increase efficiency. As an example of this technology, it is possible to dry 100 tons (4 hectares) of tomatoes daily on a total 1000 m2.

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• Reducing the need for labor

The technology of vertical conveyor farming minimizes manual labor and significantly increases the efficiency of the process, thanks to the innovative conveyor mechanism in our technology.

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• Environmental friendliness and use of natural light

One of the main features of conveyor vertical farming technology is the creation of conditions that mimic the natural growth of plants. This is achieved using a number of innovative methods that simulate natural conditions.

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What are some other relevant metrics of the company (growing area size, production quantity, team size, etc.)?

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Several factors influence the economy, such as the cost of water, electricity, and product pricing in the market. The greenhouse size can vary, but everything depends on economic efficiency. Similar to any production, a larger greenhouse leads to lower cultivation costs. For instance, we estimate a minimum effective economic size of 1,000 m2 for salads in the Dubai region.

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Considering our production costs and accounting for the greenhouse construction time, the project pays off in 1.5 years.

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Currently, our team has been immersed in farming since 2016. We conduct extensive research and development (R&D) and implement our research in practice. Today, we can confidently state that our team has created an effective system that we are ready to offer to the world.

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What are some goals in 2024 and beyond for Ayola?

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We foresee promising opportunities in the Middle East, and in 2024, we plan to actively engage in the region by opening an Ayola office in Qatar. Additionally, our focus will be on implementing current projects and developing new ones.

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How can people connect with you or learn more about Ayola?

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As for connecting with us or learning more about Ayola, people can always contact me or our managers. All contact details are available on our website.

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