Singapore-Shizuoka Agrifood Forum (SSAFF)

Mr Yuki Furuta
Chief Technology Officer, Happy Quality

Mr Yuki Furuta was born in Saiki, Oita, Japan in 1991. He studied electrical, electronic and information engineering at Oita National College of Technology and Yokohama National University, and graduated with a Master of Engineering.

He worked at Terumo Corporation for 5 years in the production engineering department, specialising in industrial equipment hardware, software and medical device manufacturing process validation and computer system validation. During his tenure, he won the internal newcomer's award, participated in a study trip to Silicon Valley, and led a design thinking project. He also spearheaded the construction and installation of production line equipment and inspection machines for a U.S. company as the main electrical and program manager.

He joined Happy Quality Co., Ltd. in 2021, leading new projects, product improvements, and new product releases while designing and building hardware and software.

Mr Webster Tham
Director, Tomato Town Pte Ltd

Mr Webster Tham is the co-founder of Tomato Town Pte Ltd, currently operating three of the largest multi-story carpark urban farms in the heartlands of Singapore. At Tomato Town, the focus is on producing fresh, preservative-free, and pesticide-free vegetables. The company operates a 'Farm to Kitchen Table' strategy, enabling Tomato Town to supply fresh farm produce directly to both food businesses and consumers.

Ms Khoo Gek Hoon
Director, Agriculture Research and Innovation (AGRI) Centre, RP
Panel Discussion Moderator

Ms Khoo Gek Hoon is the Director of the Agriculture Research and Innovation (AGRI) Centre at RP. She has a combined 24 years of experience in the agri-food sector, most notably in the development of agrifood standards for farms and supply chain for Singapore and ASEAN, and in leading Post Harvest Technology Centre under then Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). In partnership with the industry, she has instrumented numerous national farming standards in quality assurance and sustainability while in Singapore Food Agency to advance urban agriculture, the most recent one being the standard for Clean and Green Urban Farms.

Mr Derek Lin
Co-founder, Hydrogro Hong Kong and Singapore
Speaker - Singapore

Derek Lin has played a key role in advancing Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in Hong Kong and Singapore. As the cofounder of Hydrogro, Derek applies his extensive experience in food distribution to enhance urban farming. His focus on sustainable agriculture and hydroponic techniques has positioned Hydrogro at the forefront of producing high quality tomatoes and edible flowers in both cities. Derek is dedicated to improving hydroponic systems and sharing his knowledge within the agricultural community.

Ms Hidemi Masuda
Managing Director, Masuda Seeds
Speaker - Japan

Ms Hidemi Masuda graduated from Seijo University, Faculty of Literature, Department of European Culture, and began her career at Yanase Co., Ltd. In 1985, she married the current president of Masuda Seed Co., Ltd., and in 2008, became the Executive Director of Masuda Seed Co., Ltd., a company specialising in the manufacturing and development of Brassicaceae.

Ms Chiaki Kawamura
Founder, Prime Business Consultancy Pte Ltd
Panel Discussion Moderator

Ms Chiaki Kawamura founded Prime Business Consultancy Pte Ltd in Singapore in 2008, a business consulting firm with a team of professional Japanese and Singaporean consultants specialising in strategic planning, business development, and marketing. The firm provides comprehensive business consulting services to clients in the region, assisting them in establishing international operations by navigating cultural differences, understanding business practices, and serving as an effective communication channel between Japanese and Asian organisations.

Mr Ray Poh
Founder & Managing Director, Artisan Green Pte Ltd
Speaker - Singapore

Mr Ray Poh is the founder of Artisan Green, a startup that began with a 300 sqm farm in Kallang and has since been awarded a 2-hectare plot of land to scale up its operations to a 5,500 sqm indoor farm and a 1.2-hectare greenhouse.

Artisan Green utilises vertical farming technology to produce crops year-round, supplying fresh produce daily to supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants across Singapore. The company has partnered with German tech conglomerate Siemens to pioneer a 'highly scalable integrated farm management system,' which leverages automation, digitalisation, and plant science to advance sustainable farming. Artisan Green’s platform integrates digital technologies with plant science expertise, enabling farmers to enhance productivity and sustainability through user-friendly, data-driven, and automated processes.

Mr Katashi Kai
Manager, Agribusiness Division, Shinnippou
Speaker - Japan

Katashi Kai is the General Manager of the Agribusiness Department at Shinnippou Ltd. He holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Agricultural Sciences from Nagoya University. After 14 years of experience in organic vegetable and herb production across Japan and New Zealand, Kai returned to Japan in 2009.

In 2012, he joined Shinnippou and spearheaded the launch of 808FACTORY, one of Japan’s largest plant factories utilising artificial lighting (PFAL). Under his leadership, 808FACTORY adopts a data-driven management approach, leveraging advanced technology to monitor production, optimise labour and energy use, and uphold stringent hygiene standards, ensuring the efficient production of high-quality, pesticide-free leafy greens.