However, it can become a considerable source of food which would decrease the need for excessive farmland usage. Indeed, other animals such as crustaceans, fish, and poultry can be produced in vertical farms, as well as cattle food — growing soy indoors could have a great impact on deforestation.
Even if indoor farming does not fully replace outdoor farming, it may well complement the food system facing the increasing pressures of demographic growth coupled with land scarcity.
Not only can urban farms contribute to land use, but also to the reduction of other natural resources such as water and energy, and to the reutilization of organic waste. Further, growing food indoor could have a significant impact on global health.
Outdoor farming is one of the main causes of global diseases since half the world gets sick from vegetables contaminated with human feces.
Growing food in a controlled environment would allow everyone to grow safe-to-eat, healthy food and thus decrease the number of diseases throughout the world. Vertical farms decentralize the food system, as well as democratize the food supply, since it increases supply, lowers prices, and therefore contributes to food access to all sections of the population, including the poorest. It is also interesting to compare the advantages of vertical farms with those of other types of urban agriculture.
For instance, open lots are a common way of growing food in an urban environment, as seen in La Paz Bolivia. However, open lots are in close contact with car exhaustion, which penetrates the soil, is absorbed by plants, and consumed by people. Another example is that of building gardens on rooftops, which can only be done in regions of the world where winter temperatures are mild.
While greenhouses deal with this issue, they cannot yield sufficient food to feed the increasing number of urban dwellers. Vertical farms can be perceived as an ideal method of urban farming, as it optimizes land use and increases food density per square foot of farming space. The Sunqiao Urban Agricultural District integrates vertical farming systems in conjunction with research and public outreach in Shanghai, China.
What needs to be done for vertical farming to expand? First, the question of training and indoor farming skills is very important. Commercial vertical farms operate like any other business, and there are numerous reasons why businesses fail. They require constant oversight of all aspects of the growing environment, as well as employing skilled and experienced staff, who can identify and correct problems in the growing system.
I would suggest that schools of agriculture should offer specialized degrees in urban farming, which could not only train city dwellers to work in urban farms, but also stimulate them to work in them, further driving growth in the sector. Commercial viability is definitely a challenge for vertical farms.
There is however great hope that it can become sustainable at a large scale. Some have suggested that the energy cost of running a vertical farm makes it difficult to realize a profit. However, as the price of electricity and LED lights become cheaper, the profitability of vertical farms will undoubtedly increase.
Diversifying the crop selection could further contribute to the success of vertical farms, since most today focus on highly productive leafy green vegetables. Next, opposition from city dwellers and politicians to urban agriculture remains common. Many assume that due to the dense, crowded, contaminated environment of cities, these are not appropriate spaces for vegetable growth. Nevertheless, as the industry matures, indoor farming gains visibility, and the advantages of vertical farming become obvious, it will get easier to get approval for their construction from city planners and other stakeholders, so that vertical farms will gain a lasting place in urban centers.
Last, vertical farms remain relatively expensive to build, maintain, and endure. These are abundant in places such as Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and the US, where people have high purchasing power. However, the challenge now resides in spreading vertical farming to poorer populations. But vertical farming, as it requires more expensive technology, has been lagging. Expanding it to larger shares of the population, large commercial growers must step in, as well as international organizations in order to encourage it and make it more accessible.
It is only a matter of time for poorer people to demand what the middle class already has access to, at the right market price, and at that point, vertical farming will emerge in cheaper forms. According to you, how will cities look like in 50 years? Contributor Contributor External Guest Writer. What Is Vertical Farming? How Do Vertical Farms Work? This includes: Physical layout Lighting Growing medium Sustainability Physical Layout The physical layout of a vertical farm is one of the most important factors related to this concept.
Growing Medium There are various options available to vertical farmers when it comes to selecting the growing medium related to this practice. The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Vertical Farm Although Vertical Farming is a prospect that gives the farming community plenty to be excited about, there are still a few departments that can be improved before this system can be implemented on a large scale.
Advantages Meets the challenges of the future The growing needs of the human population is staggering, and innovative farming methods need to be utilized in order to meet the requirements of the planet. Beating the elements As a vertical farm is fully equipped to provide all the necessary nutritional and elemental requirements to plants locally, it allows farms to be able to remain productive across the year. Maximizing water efficiency Thanks to the ingenuity of the design of vertical farms, the growing burden on our water resource can be greatly reduced with proper planning.
Trumping the weather The weather patterns around the planet have become increasingly unstable due to global warming. Eco-friendly and human friendly The methods employed to run a vertical farm are easier on both the environment and the farmers tending to the produce. Disadvantages Lack of financial data As vertical farms are relatively new in the world of agriculture, there is little financial data to support the financial feasibility of these projects. Manual pollination In traditional farms, pollination of various plants is done naturally with the help of bees and insects.
This can be time consuming activity and is known to be labour intensive. Taking to the Skies Vertical farms hold the potential to radically transform the face of agriculture. See also: What is Underground Farming? Recent stories Recent stories November 8, October 30, October 18, October 7, September 28, Subscribe to our newsletter.
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So is vertical farming the future of agriculture? The answer to that question is unclear. Companies, like Bowery Farms, Wilder Fields, Gotham Greens, and more are yet to grow produce at scale in an economically stable manner to meet the increasing demand for food.
Need help hiring for vertical farming positions? AgHires is a team of expert agriculture recruiters with access to highly qualified candidates. Karyn enjoys learning and discovering new ways to help job seekers and clients to reach their goals.
AgHires helps agricultural and food production companies find the employees they need to run a successful business. Search from over 10, jobs in agriculture and food production. Create a job seeker account to manage all jobs, easily apply to jobs, or be found by companies looking to hire. Posted by Karyn Moyer. What is Vertical Farming? Controlled Lighting The next factor that characterizes a vertical farm is the controlled lighting. Alternative Growing Mediums Another key aspect to indoor vertical farming is the use of alternative growing mediums.
Sustainability Most vertical farms are at the forefront of the movement towards sustainable practices! The Pros of Vertical Farming There are several reasons the concept of vertical farming is rapidly gaining popularity. Planning for the Future As we mentioned above, by the year the human population is projected to increase to nearly 10 billion.
Fresh Food, Grown Locally Vertical agriculture and indoor farming enables produce to be grown within urban areas.
Controlled Environment The advanced technology of indoor farms allows farmers to control every aspect from the lighting, temperature, humidity levels, and other environmental factors all the way down to the flavor of the produce! Safer Work Environments With traditional farming practices, there are many occupational hazards and risks when handling heavy-duty farming equipment or being exposed to harmful chemicals.
Better for the Planet Vertical agriculture has a better impact on the environment due to the fact it substantially reduces the amount of fossil fuels used to run farming equipment. The Cons of Vertical Farming While the advantages vertical farming presents are considerable, it is important to look at the disadvantages as well.
The following list outlines the cons of vertical farming: 1. Requires More Research The modern-day concept of vertical farming is still relatively new. High Capital and Operating Costs With the advanced vertical farming equipment and technology, high-level workforce, manual pollination and massive energy requirements, running an indoor farm can get incredibly expensive.
Risks of Power Failure While technology allows for enhanced efficiency and reduced costs, it also presents great risk. Tips for Vertical Farming Now that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of vertical farming, here are some tips for adopting this new approach.
Prepare for Managing Wastewater In the early stages, it is key to make a game-plan for managing wastewater. Leave Room for Plumbing, Air Movement and Easy Access A common mistake made by growers and investors is packing as many plants into the vertical structures as possible.
Hire the Right Team Indoor farming jobs require a certain level of expertise and experience. The Future of Vertical Farming So is vertical farming the future of agriculture?
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