Vertical farms
environmental standpoint, as previously mentioned, the need for transportation will be reduced; the need for equipment such as tractors will be reduced as well. This will in turn lead to a lower carbon footprint. Water in vertical farms will also be recycled and will consume 70% less water than conventional farms do. 4 Vertical farms also increase the amount of urban green space and help facilitate a greener city, if the sustainable sourcing of energy for these farms is monitored. Finally, from a social and political perspective, the benefits of vertical farms include reducing the oversupply of high-rise structures in cities and rejuvenating neighbourhoods that are neglected. Additionally, the adoption of vertical farms can encourage scientific research and innovation. Thus, vertical farms are seen as a popular solution for a future where urban food demand is expected to surge. 5
What do vertical farms require to function?
There are three types of vertical farms, each with a different procedure for providing nutrients to plants. The hydroponic system allows the plant’s roots to be submerged in a nutrient solution . The aeroponics system is where the plant is grown in a mist environment with very little water. The aquaponics system combines fish and plants in one system, where the fish produces nutrient-rich waste which can then be used for plants. 6
The core of a vertical farm is the concept of controlled environmental agriculture (CEA). Farms utilize smart sensors such as thermal imaging to monitor different variables that can affect crop growth (pH., humidity, temperature, etc.). 7 A structure to set the farm in is essential. The structure will need to be able to sustain the expected harvest amounts as well as the different needs that farms will have, while at the same time being in a location that is beneficial for the distribution of crops. These are usually derelict skyscrapers or warehouses, or even shipping containers.
As natural sunlight is not steadily reliable for a vertical farm, lighting, or artificial sunlight, will be required to grow crops. This can account for up to 32% of the total operational costs of a vertical farm.
4 Birkby, Jeff. ‘ Vertical farming ’, ATTRA sustainable agriculture 2 (2016): 1-12.
5 Benke, Kurt, and Bruce Tomkins. ‘ Future Food-Production Systems: Vertical Farming and Controlled- Environment Agriculture ’, Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy 13, no. 1 (2017): 13 – 26. https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2017.1394054. 6 ‘What Are Vertical Farming Systems? Here’s All You Need to Know’, Company. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://ifarm.fi/blog/vertical-farming- systems#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20types%20of,provide%20healthy%20nutrition%20to%20plants. 7 Irfan, Selen. ‘ A Comprehensive Guide to Vertical Farming ’, Vertical Farms Ltd , August 14, 2023. https://vertical.mt/a-comprehensive-guide-to-vertical- farming/#:~:text=The%20most%20fundamental%20aspect%20of,or%20into%20purpose%2Dbuilt%20structu res.
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