And Esti HD subsidiary launches hydroponic farming for disability employment

WeOur, a specialized subsidiary of And Esti HD, has launched ‘EVELEAF’, a hydroponic farming business designed to support disability employment and sustainable management. The initiative aims to improve the quality of employment for people with disabilities by offering flexible indoor work environments that are less physically demanding than traditional agriculture.

Currently operating from a support center in Yamagata Prefecture, the project cultivates approximately 20 types of pesticide-free vegetables. The produce is supplied to group-affiliated businesses, including restaurants operated by Zetton, employee cafes, and sauna facilities at ‘niko and ... BASE’, where herbs are used for aromatherapy.

Following the recent increase in the statutory employment rate for people with disabilities in Japan, the company seeks to move beyond mere numbers toward meaningful, high-quality work. The business plans to expand its hydroponic facilities to other regional support centers across Kanto, Kansai, Chugoku, and Kyushu, leveraging the group’s internal demand to minimize food loss.