We have seen a lot of containers being used in vertical farming. Let us find out why they are beneficial to vertical farming techniques and what container farming is in general.
Very recently, in the 21st century, we are getting to hear terms like modern agriculture, contemporary farming, vertical farming, indoor farming etc. With massive transformation taking place in the vertical farming industry, agriculture has seen a new growth.
Numerous benefits include increased food production, reduced resource consumption, and year-round crop availability. Along with this, we are very sure you must have heard of a term called container farming. So what is it? Container farming is a subset of vertical farming that takes these advantages to the next level by enabling agricultural practices within compact spaces.
If you are looking to understand what this is all about and how they both are related, this blog is for you!
What is Container Farming?
Container farming comprises crops growing in tight closed shaped modified containers or similar looking buckets that have advanced technologies.
This creates a very soothing environment for plants to reap maximum benefits, allowing farmers to optimise conditions such as temperature, humidity, light and nutrient delivery.
This approach of growing plants in a container further expedites the need of natural outdoor conditions - that makes it possible to eliminate the limitations of traditional outdoor farming and cultivate a wide range of crops in areas having limited arable land.
By now, you must be wondering what type of container farms are in the world. So we are here to tell you!
Here are different types of container farms:
Vertical Container Farms: This type of Vertical container farms use vertical spaces very efficiently by combining stacked layers or racks to grow plants. This method maximises the use of available floor space and allows for higher plant density. Vertical farms often incorporate hydroponic or aeroponic systems for efficient nutrient and water delivery. In this segment we get Aquaponic container farms, aeroponic container farms and hydroponics container farms.
IFarm is one such example that uses vertical container farming techniques.
Greenhouse Container Farms: These types of farms combine the advantage of conventional farming techniques and container farming modern concepts. These farms typically use climate control systems, such as ventilation, heating and cooling, to create an optimal growing environment. Two of the most popular cultivation methods that it involves are soil-based or hydroponic systems. Freight Farms started the idea of container farming back in 2011 and now very cleverly practises greenhouse farming using containers.
Mobile Farms: Mobile container farms as the name suggests can be shifted to any desired place with an easy movement. They are often mounted on trailers or trucks and are ideal for locations with limited land availability, allowing farmers to move their farms to different locations as needed. Mobile farms are particularly useful in situations where land availability is limited or when farmers want to bring fresh produce directly to consumers in urban areas. Mana Farms is one of the leading mobile farms that uses container farming as its mode of growing.
These are just a few examples of the different types of container farms and we have covered three main reasons for your knowledge. Each type offers unique advantages and can be tailored to specific crops, growing conditions and resource availability.
Vertical Farming and Container Farming: A Very Closed Relationship
Container farming is closely related to vertical farming as it embodies the principles and techniques of vertical cultivation within a confined space. Let's explore how container farming aligns with the core concepts of vertical farming:
Vertical Expansion: As both the farming techniques require less space, container farming too stacks its containers in order to minimise space. In a container farm, fresh fruits and vegetables are cultivated on multiple stacked layers, efficiently utilising space and maximising productivity. This vertical expansion allows for increased crop yields compared to traditional horizontal farming methods.
Controlled Environment: Very ideal to vertical farms, container farms provide precise control over environmental factors - which is the demand of today's farming practices. The controlled environment in which the container farming is done ensures control and optimal conditions for plant growth, leading to faster growth rates, higher yields and improved crop quality.
Season Independent Production: Container farming, like vertical farming, offers the advantage of year-round production as both do not require natural scenarios to produce fresh crops. The artificial environment that is created is sufficient enough for a good growth and growers can overcome seasonal limitations and produce crops consistently, irrespective of external weather conditions. This continuous production enables a reliable food supply and reduces dependence on imported produce.
Modern Agriculture Equipped With Urban Demands: Container farming is particularly suited for urban areas where limited spaces are allocated to practise farming. These self-contained units can be set up in parking lots, rooftops or vacant urban spaces, transforming underutilised areas into productive agricultural hubs. By bringing food production closer to urban populations, container farming contributes to the concept of local and sustainable food systems.
Technological Integration: Advanced technologies - making farming 10x faster, such as automated systems, sensor networks and data analytics, play a crucial role in both vertical farming and container farming. The integration of technology ensures optimal plant health by detecting any unfavourable situations of future and allowing for remote monitoring and management of container farms.
Conclusion:
Therefore, we understand that container farming - though not that highly famous - goes hand in hand with vertical farming and represents a remarkable innovation within the realm of today's contemporary agriculture.
By leveraging the principles of vertical cultivation within compact spaces, container farming opens up new possibilities for urban agriculture, year-round production, and resource-efficient farming practices. As the world grapples with challenges related to food security, resource scarcity, and urbanisation, container farming stands as a promising solution that combines technological advancements and sustainable agricultural practices. With continued advancements and adoption, container farming has the potential to reshape our food systems and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
