Our environment has sustained long-lasting damage after centuries of mismanagement and misuse. It's important that we reevaluate our practices and opt for different methods of food production. As the population continues to grow, we can't afford to lose any measure of efficiency. What can be the solution? Read below…
Amidst the noise and chaos of traditional farming methods of food production and their impact on our world, the vertical farm sits in stark contrast. Let's look out at the factors that make vertical farming eco-friendly.
Reduces Green House Gas Emission - The main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in crop production involve the use of nitrogen fertilizers which produce nitrous oxide, 300 times worse than simple carbon dioxide (CO2). So, nitrogen fertilizers are one of the primary environmental impacts of traditional farming methods in crop production. Vertical farming has the ability to solve complex ecological problems as plants are grown in water with no soil present and no need for these chemical fertilizers. For allowing more efficient absorption by plants nutrients like nitrogen are added directly to water.
Water Conservation - In vertical farm, water is recycled through the system over and over. Once the system is running there is a minimal amount of freshwater needed. In fact, on an average vertical farm uses 98% less water than traditional farms. This is a huge difference and could certainly reduce the amount of water consumption.
Image Source - https://www.tafe.com/blog/water-conservation-practices-for-your-farm/
No Soil Degradation - We have lost roughly half of our planet's topsoil in the past century. Soil degradation is becoming an enormous problem. Loss of soil structure, salinity from overuse of freshwater in irrigation, nutrient degradation, and erosion all play important roles in these crises. Vertical farms use no soil at all, which means they do not contribute to these factors that are destroying our precious topsoil.
Lesser Transportation and Fuel Cost
Using traditional farming means wastage of huge amounts of fossil fuels as food trucks ship the greens around the world. This also leads to nutrient loss because the food is not as fresh as it could be if grown locally. Vertical farming allows minimal loss of freshness and less fuel wasted in transit.
More production, Less Space Consumption
Vertical farming takes less space than traditional farming methods; if it uses only an acre and a half, it can produce about 2.7 million servings of leafy greens every year. Not only that as these are grown indoors, but it also doesn't matter what the climate or weather conditions may be outside. The result is a farm that can fit into even densely packed urban settings and grow food year-round, regardless of the season.
Minimal use of Fertilizers and Pesticides
The major problem of traditional farming is the method to fertilize crops and drive away small and large pests and weeds. But vertical farming's crops are grown in a controlled environment without fertilizers. The use of pesticides is very minimal, nutrient solutions are used instead of fertilizers with no toxic herbicides. Nutrients are added directly into the water, making them immediately bioavailable to the plants they're meant to feed.
High Efficiency and Yield
Have you ever thought that a vertical farm can really feed the world the way a traditional farm can, not 100%, but it's a far more efficient system than any other farming could ever hope to be. Offers a wide variety of nutrient-dense leafy greens and essential micro herbs, vertical farming can grow crops in vast quantities, with far fewer resources expended. Crops being grown within the controlled environment it's possible to harvest 11-13 times per year. This helps in the supply of healthy, fresh food available in communities where farming has always been a struggle.
So, now we assume you completely get an idea how vertical farming is eco friendly. To feed the entire population with less pesticides and minimal resources this modern agriculture is adopted by almost all countries of the world. Want to be a part of this agricultural revolution? Visit the 4th edition of the Global Vertical Farming Show, on 13th - 14th September in Dubai.
