A visitor checks out a family plant factory at a demonstration room at the company's office in Handan, Hebei province, March 30, 2014. [Photo by He Yini / chinadaily.com.cn]

The organization has been leading a cooperative effort to promote an international ecological agriculture strategic project undertaken by AOBO Group in recent years.

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"Ecological agricultural products have been popular among urban residents, despite their relatively higher prices," said Zhou Changyi, director of the energy-saving and comprehensive utilization department in the ministry of Industry and information technology.

"But the thing is, the whole operating system should be convenient and compatible with their living environment which is quite different from the laboratory." he added. "As much as the idea is thrilling, it takes time to sell it. To finally succeed in the market, the company needs to conjure up an appropriate business model that can be well accepted by the public."

Hugo Juarez, counselor of the United States of Mexico Embassy to China, said: "The family plant factory is a beautiful and nice try. But if it is too expensive or inconvenient for regular people in their houses, it will not go far in the market. Cost/benefit matters a lot to consumers."

The company's chairman Wang Baoan said they are trying to make a specific calculation of the costs and benefits of the family plant factory, and will probably establish a demonstration area in Hebei's Handan city.

"It's a tough road ahead, but we are very confident and optimistic about its outlook," said Wang.

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