The planet needs a more sustainable food system. Climate change has left crop devastation in many countries and even the less vulnerable nations are seeing poor harvests due to extreme weather conditions.
Droughts, heavy rain, heatwaves and frost all contribute to crop damage which can result in food scarcity and lack of pay for farmers. The agriculture industry needs the implementation of innovative farming methods to help protect our future food from these environmental hazards, including sustainable agriculture practices supported by modern vertical farming techniques.
What is vertical farming?
Vertical farming is one such method that farmers – and investors – are turning their attention to. Expanding this industry, through financial support and consumer buy-in, will enable new state-of-the-art farms to grow a greater mass of crops which are protected from the harsh elements, as climate change impacts become more pervasive.
Currently, a diverse range of buildings are used for housing and growing crops, from abandoned mine shafts to shipping containers.
Vertical farming is the art of growing crops (predominantly fruit, vegetables and herbs) that are vertically stacked in multi layers, under fully controlled conditions.
Being protected under cover, with the correct temperatures and lighting means there is less dependency on appropriate weather conditions for successful harvests.
The increasing demand for locally-grown produce has driven the requirement for expansion of vertical farming, which will help boost its presence in key retail markets, backed by robust, positive testimonials from existing customers.
How can vertical farming boost food security?
New farming techniques are evolving to reduce negative environmental impacts that food production can cause, from soil degradation to excessive water use.
With rising concerns surrounding food security in the UK, an indoor vertical farming alternative to traditional agri methods delivers a greater quantity of high-quality crops with less risk.
Why is vertical farming good for the environment?
In short, vertical farming is controlled. It has shorter growing times, uses less water, less land, less chemicals and pesticides and it reduces food waste because crops are grown with a greater success rate.
The controlled environment reduces the amount of fertiliser needed, significantly shortens supply chains, and avoids river pollution due to lack of run-off due to the lower amounts of water used.
Shelf life is increased which also helps to combat food waste, while emissions from transportation are reduced.
However, it has opened discussions surrounding the downsides of vertical farming, such as how sustainable the energy usage and cost is to produce crops. Considerations also include the intense training and skillset requirements of the workforce (knowledge from plant science to engineering is required), dependency of technology working for successful growing and the limited number of plants that can be grown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What crops can be grown in vertical farms?
Primarily vegetables, fruits, and herbs, but the technology is expanding to berries, leafy greens, and microgreens.
How does vertical farming save water?
Controlled hydroponic or aeroponic systems recycle water and minimise waste, using up to 95% less water than traditional farming.
Is vertical farming economically viable?
Initial setup costs are high, but reduced crop loss, shorter supply chains, and higher yields can offset operational expenses over time.
Can vertical farming help reduce carbon emissions?
Yes. By shortening supply chains, lowering transport emissions, and improving crop efficiency, vertical farming reduces the carbon footprint of food production.
