Tiny trays, big visions

How a millennial duo turned a small space into a thriving urban microgreens farm

- By KATRINA CLARICE ABELLA, DANIELLE ELLYMA BAYANI and ALYSSA DAUZ

Nama's personnel meticulously tending to microgreens on space-saving vertical racks.

Amid the noise and pollution of Sta. Mesa, Manila, a humble 70-square-meter space breathes and sprawls fresh microgreens and edible flowers.

It’s an urban farm brought to life by millennials passionate about sustainability and eager to address today’s pressing agricultural issues.

For millennials Eldrin Lee, 31, and Skyrene Bacalso, 29, the idea of creating an urban farm focused primarily on microgreens dates back several years. Their paths crossed through a non-government organization, where Lee’s background in science and Bacalso’s experience in accounting aligned, bringing them together to fulfill this vision.

“Parang hindi ko akalain na I will end up sa agriculture. But since nakita ko yung problems about sustainability and agriculture, naisip ko na sige, let’s try to solve this issue coming from a technical background,” Lee said.

Without prior knowledge or academic background in agriculture, the two took a leap of faith to study urban farming techniques and practices, specifically for microgreens, by researching and watching online videos before opening their business in 2022.

With their newfound skills and determination, Nama Urban Farms (Nama Microgreens) was born. Nama means “fresh” or “as it is” in Japanese.

Lee said that they wanted to create something that would contribute to the country’s sustainability. Nama Microgreens primarily uses vertical farming techniques to maximize the use of its space.

The business chose not to use the hydroponics farming technique because it is not organic due to the use of mineral or potassium salts, Lee added.

The farm uses potting mediums, which, according to Lee, are not soil but have the essence of planting. The farm also avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilizers for its plants.

Growing demand