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As a result, the space needed for the farm grew from the initial planned 10ha to 15ha, which is equivalent to about 21 football fields.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Larger layer houses would allow the farm to scale production capacity from the initial target of about 360 million eggs annually to more than 500 million when fully developed.<\/span><\/p>\n The delays prompted the company to reassess the viability of the project in its earlier stages.<\/span><\/p>\n Asked what led to the decision to proceed, Mr Ho said the company conducted a feasibility study examining the economics of the farm across its operating life, including its scale, technology and management, which he said would help increase yields and keep operating expenses manageable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The years-long delay gave the farm an opportunity to incorporate technologies into its design from the outset.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Ho described the delay as a “blessing in disguise”, pointing to how artificial intelligence technologies have become more mature and cost-effective.<\/span><\/p>\n “So the AI part in terms of health, the layer hens health management, monitoring, preventive measure, predictive measures all come into place,” Mr Ho said.<\/span><\/p>\n When completed, the farm will deploy technologies such as advanced optics and heat-detection sensors paired with AI models that will capture and analyse operational data. Patrol robots that use AI will also operate within each layer house to monitor the health of hens round the clock.<\/span><\/p>\n Other parts of the operation will also be automated, such as feeding, egg collection and grading.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n