Agriculture plays a vital role in supporting the world’s population, but it faces challenges like declining water availability and ecological problems caused by concentrated traditional farming. As cities grow and demand for food rises, there is a need for new agricultural methods. Vertical farming is an emerging technology that offers a promising solution to the challenges of global food security. Its controlled conditions eliminate the need for excessive fertilizers and pesticides, resulting in significantly increased yields compared to conventional farming. As the world’s population continues to grow and urbanization increases, the demand for food in cities rises, making smart urban-vertical farming an attractive option. The technology’s efficiency in land and water usage, along with reduced transportation and storage costs, enhances its economic viability. Moreover, regions facing threats from soil degradation and water scarcity, can benefit from vertical farming’s potential water savings of up to 95 per cent and land productivity twice as high as traditional agriculture. The global vertical farming market is projected to grow, offering a promising tool for sustainable food production and resilient urban environments. Vertical farming presents a novel approach to address the challenges of food production and sustainability in the coming decades, fostering a balanced coexistence with nature while meeting the needs of a growing global population. By embracing vertical farming alongside other sustainable agricultural practices, can meet the global food security in future.
Author(s) Details:
Vaishnavi.
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India-560065, India.
Udaykumar, M. S.
National Institute of Secondary Agriculture, Namkum, Ranchi-834010, India.
Manojkumar Patil
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India-560065, India.
Suman, L.
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India-560065, India.
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Recent Global Research Developments in Vertical Farming: The Future of Agriculture
1. What Is Vertical Farming?
Vertical farming uses controlled-environment agriculture techniques to optimize plant growth. These techniques include hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics.
Instead of traditional field farming, vertical farms stack shallow trays or pipes within buildings, often using LED lighting at each level to support plant growth [1,2].
2. Advantages of Vertical Farming:
Space Efficiency: Vertical farms can be established in urban areas, making efficient use of limited space.
Year-Round Production: Indoor environments allow for year-round crop cultivation, reducing dependence on seasonal weather.
Reduced Water Usage: Soil-less methods like hydroponics use significantly less water than traditional farming.
Minimized Pesticide Use: Controlled environments reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
Shorter Supply Chains: Locally grown produce decreases transportation distances and associated emissions [3].
3. Challenges and Limitations:
Cost and Energy: Vertical farming remains expensive due to high initial setup costs and ongoing energy requirements.
Crop Variety: Currently, leafy greens, smaller vegetables, and fruits like tomatoes and strawberries are the most commercially viable crops.
Soil-Free Farming: While soil-less methods are common, completely soil-free farming is still a challenge.
Scaling Up: To achieve widespread adoption, vertical farming needs to scale up efficiently and economically1.
4. Future Outlook:
Researchers, architects, and policymakers are actively exploring ways to address challenges and enhance sustainable vertical agriculture.
As technology improves and costs decrease, vertical farming could play a crucial role in feeding our growing global population while minimizing environmental impact [4].
References
- How far can vertical farming go?
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230106-what-if-all-our-food-was-grown-in-indoor-vertical-farms - Vertical farming
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_farming - Vertical Farming: Advantages, Challenges, and Future Outlook
https://foreverfarms.org/vertical-farming/ - Vertical Farms: Innovating Agriculture
https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/articles/vertical-farms/
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