History of Vertical Farming
People are frequently shocked to learn that something as innovative as vertical farming has a long history that spans from prehistoric times to the 1900s.
History is filled with incredible tales of how human limitations inspired us to produce not only wonders but also breakthroughs. You'll learn what might be missing to catch on around the world as you read on.
The first examples of vertical farming in shadow were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the "Chinampas" of the Aztecs. The term "vertical farming," first used in the 1900s by Gilbert Ellis, was first used in Armenia in 1951.
The idea was first put up by Dickson Despommier in 1991 and is still in use today. Many people remain dubious about vertical farming's ability to feed a planet with billions of people.
The Invention Of The Term "Vertical Farming"
The phrase "vertical farming" was first used by American geologist Gilbert Ellis Bailey in 1915 while he was researching an alternate strategy for expanding farmland and growing high-quality crops. But he had a little different definition of vertical than you might anticipate.
He hoped to be able to farm further underground by using inexpensive explosives as opposed to raising farms up into the sky. Given that the world was at war at the time, this is understandable.
First Successful Modern Vertical Farm
It took decades for critical vertical farming innovations like lighting, automation, and robotics to be developed. The most successful vertical farm of the modern era emerged in 2011.
Ed Harwood, David Rosenberg, and Marc Oshima developed The AeroFarms, a 70,00 square foot indoor vertical farm in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States. Every plant's data is continuously monitored by biologists and botanists using on-site technology as well as mobile apps.
Compared to traditional farming, the productivity of the farm is 400 times higher per square foot. The exclusive grow medium and custom-made sprayer used by AeroFarms are important factors in the company's success.
A Brief Overview Of Vertical Farming
By emphasizing upward expansion rather than "horizontal farming"—which enlarges growing regions to the left and right—vertical farming methods differ from traditional farming techniques.
By 2050, the amount of cropland will need to double in size to support the world's expanding population. Perhaps the most significant advancement in agriculture over the past 20 years is the idea of vertical farming.
The industry has made considerable advancements in a short period of time. Improvements in grow lights and soil-free methods of fertilizer delivery to plants have increased the appeal of vertical farming. The innovative farming is the way of the future, thanks to these technologies and the need for sustainable agriculture.
Types of Growing Systems
You'll typically encounter three different sorts of vertical farming systems. Each of these systems is utilized in various settings for various objectives. While some systems function quite efficiently, others are built to showcase vertical farming technologies in an aesthetically beautiful manner.
Systems Mounted on Walls
The simplest growing systems are wall-mounted ones, which can also be the most aesthetically pleasing to install. Wall-mounted systems are simple to use, take up little room, and cost little to install.
Utilizing a wall-mounted system allows you to grow plants while using the least amount of floor space possible. Wherever they are positioned, wall-mounted systems can be any height, from a single row of plants to the ceiling.
Vertical Stacked Layer
Although it is a general word, vertically-stacked layers refer to the large-scale production and business operations made feasible by vertical farming. In essence, plants are grown on a single, flat space that is stacked on top of itself.
High-tech LED lights that offer optimal development potential cover the bottoms of each layer. To provide the plants with all the building blocks they require to thrive, a nutrient solution is either pumped through the roots of the plant or sprayed directly on them.
By erecting structures vertically, you may pack a lot of plants into a small space while consuming the fewest resources possible.
Freestanding Towers
Freestanding towers are exactly what they sound like—simple floor-based standalone structures. Typically, these towers contain a reservoir with a concealed pump that forces the water upward, after which the plants are watered by gravity.
Freestanding towers are fantastic for small-scale producers seeking a high output without investing in pricey machinery and hobbyist growers wishing to maximize space.
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
Since it combines several technologies to give plants the optimal environmental and growth circumstances during their growth, controlled environment agriculture is fundamentally at the core of vertical farming.
Vertical farming utilizes a system of controlled environments to grow wholesome, pest-free produce all year long. Plants in vertical farms are kept separate from the outside world, and staff takes precautions to stave off bug infestations that could harm the crops.
Controlled environment systems are frequently connected to vertical farming, although they can also be applied to horizontal farming. Technical parameters like CO2, oxygen, lighting, humidity, nutrient content, pH, insect control, watering, and harvesting are monitored by smart sensors in vertical farms. Typically, hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquatic cultivation is used in controlled settings.
Vertical Farming Techniques
Hydroponics
The technique entails growing plant development in nutrient-rich water without the use of soil. This methodology is broken down into a number of sub-methods. The floating raft method is probably the hydroponics technique used most frequently.
A polystyrene raft made of the material is placed in a sizable container that contains water and plant fertilizers. The raft features holes or net pots for growing herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley as well as light-weight, quickly-growing plants like lettuce and spinach.
Aquaponics
Aquaponics is a type of soilless farming that combines hydroponics and aquaculture, or the practice of raising fish and other aquatic animals in a controlled environment. These fish excrete organic waste that benefits crops, resembling how natural ecosystems employ one element's organic waste to benefit another.
When compared to typical agriculture, an aquaponic system is eight times more water-efficient, using just roughly 1/6th of the water to produce up to eight times more food per acre.
Aeroponics
This method is a more sophisticated form of hydroponics that substitutes nutrient-rich mists for water. This method has no growing media, in contrast to the first two.
The seeds are sown by cultivators in bits of foam placed into tiny pots. The roots receive nourishment through routine mistings of fine, high-pressure mist or nutrient-rich water while the plant's crown stays exposed to light.
The NASA experiments on crop cultivation in space served as the basis for this technique. In addition to being more water-efficient than the methods mentioned above, aeroponics encourages faster plant growth.
Advantages of Vertical Farming
Optimal use of space
Ample plain and fertile land is needed for traditional farming techniques. However, using vertical cultivation techniques does not require that. As was already said, this farming technique grows crops on stacks of surfaces that are tilted vertically. Additionally, because they use non-soil mediums, these crops can grow in a variety of settings and environments. Additionally, they may thrive in extreme and unfavorable climatic circumstances.
Decreased Cost of Transportation
Vertical farms' delivery outlets are conveniently located in urban areas. Contrary to traditional farming, crop producers do not have to transport finished goods over international borders and oceans.
Instead, they may establish farms near the sites of their clients. The supply chain is shortened, which lowers transportation costs and lowers the carbon footprint.
Consistent & Higher Crops Yield
Since these farming methods are independent of environmental elements like sunlight, seasons, water, and area, among others, the most attractive aspect of vertical farming is likely its consistent food output throughout the year.
A higher yield is also produced overall as a result of such reliable crop production. Cropin's SmartRisk and SmartFarm are effective digital farming technologies that enable farmers to predict crop yield with accuracy.
Zero Agricultural Chemicals
Crops grown in regulated environments don't get invaded by weeds or bugs that spread illness. As a result, a farmer may require fewer crop protection products. In turn, this makes the finished product safer to eat, further enhancing food safety.
Disadvantages of Vertical Farming
High Reliance on Technology
Consedering the fact that vertical farming depends so heavily on technology, growers must make significant investments in a variety of systems and equipment to monitor moisture, lighting, temperature, and other variables.
However, a single piece of equipment failing can temporarily halt the entire cultivation process, reducing the amount of product. Additionally, a number of agricultural experts think that current agriculture technology is not sufficiently evolved for vertical farming to function well.
Diminished pollination
While farming in controlled environments keeps pests out, bees, butterflies, beetles, birds, and other pollinators have a harder time doing their jobs naturally. Farmers must use hand pollination in this situation, which can be an expensive and difficult process.
High Startup Expenses
The high beginning costs associated with starting a vertical farming operation are the first significant drawback of vertical farming. As of right now, the majority of technologies and equipment used in vertical farming are still quite new and hence pricey.
This is due to the fact that the majority of businesses developing vertical farming technologies—especially those creating equipment for use by other people—are still unable to exploit economies of scale to reduce the price of parts, tools, and production procedures.
Limited Crops Grown
The limited number of crops that can be cultivated in vertical systems is the next and most likely the biggest drawback of vertical farming in comparison to field farming.
It's important to keep in mind that this restriction results from both space and financial considerations. Tiny horticultural crops including leafy greens, tiny vegetables, and a variety of berries can currently be grown in the majority of vertical farming systems.
In conclusion vertical farming is making cities more resilient due to their year-round consistency in crop quantity & quality and immunity to weather & climate change. With the ongoing development of novel solutions, vertical farming has a promising future and contributes to a sustainable environment. This is crucial when we plan for the long term and anytime it is anticipated that the urban population will increase significantly. Vertical farming has many advantages over rural farming in terms of sustainability on the social, economic, and environmental fronts. New high-tech production methods like hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics are essentially posing a threat to the requirement for soil-based farming. Vertical farming, which enables crops such as short-lived vegetables and preferred fodder crops like maize, potatoes, to be grown year-round in incredibly small spaces with minimal labour, can be particularly beneficial for the poorest and landless places as well as those with limited access to land and water.
