Gourav Sabharwal
A growing population places increasing demand on food availability. As farmers struggle with bridging the gap between demand and supply of crops using traditional farming methods, more innovative and efficient cultivation techniques continue to surface. One of these methods is vertical farming. Vertical farming refers to the system of cultivating crops in vertically stacked layers, instead of a single surface, like a greenhouse or field. Generally, cultivators incorporate these into vertical structures, such as shipping barrels, skyscrapers, used warehouses, and abandoned mine shafts. This farming method uses Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technology to monitor required humidity, temperature, gases, and light in indoor conditions. For instance, farmers use artificial lighting and metal reflectors to mimic natural sunlight. The concept of vertical farming was first pioneered by Dickson Despommier in 1999. He was a professor of Public and Environmental Health at Columbia University. Challenging his students on whether food could be grown on the rooftops of New York skyscrapers, a concept was created in which a 30-story vertical farm grown by hydroponics and artificial light could feed about 50,000 people. Types of Vertical Farms:- Vertical Farms in buildings: Abandoned buildings are repurposed for vertical farming, but it’s not necessary that such buildings be used often. Depending on the requirements new buildings are also used to construct vertical farms. Shipping-Container Vertical Farms: Old or recycled shipping containers are equipped with LED lighting, vertically stacked farms, climate controls and monitoring sensors. Such types of farms can save space and get a higher yield in the process. Underground Vertical Farms: Also known as ‘Deep Farms’, these types of vertical farms are built in underground tunnels, abandoned mine shafts or any subterranean environment. The constant temperature and humidity means that they require less energy for heating and as for water supply, the underground water source can be used. Such farms can also produce 7 to 9 times more food than a conventional farm. Techniques of Vertical Farming-Hydroponics: Hydroponics is the method of growing plants without the involvement of soil. Here, plant roots are submerged in magnesium, nitrogen, potassium calcium etc. These solutions support roots, improving chances of higher yield and reducing dependence on water. Studies have shown that there have been 11 times yield compared to conventional farms at a cost of 13 times less water. Thus hydroponics is the most widely used method in Vertical Farming.
Aquaponics: A slightly advanced method that Hydroponics, Aquaponics integrated production of plants with that of aquatic organisms in a closed loop system resembling nature itself.
Aeroponics: Like the name suggests, Aeroponics does not use mediums like solid or liquid, instead it uses air to grow plants. A liquid solution is used in air where the plants are located, through which the plants absorb nutrients. It is the most suited method as it requires neither water nor soil and requires no growing medium.
Advantages of Vertical Farming
- Efficiency: Conventional farms require too much land and water, while vertical farming requires a fraction of it with more yield per acre. Another additional benefit is that vertical farming can produce crops throughout the year. Even more that one crop can be harvested at once due to their individual land and plots.
- Weather resistant: Traditional farming is subjected to unpredictable weather patterns and natural disasters such floods, droughts, wildfires, etc. In a controlled environment of vertical farming such factors are negated and thus less susceptible to disruption in the supply chain process.
- Environmental Conservation: Vertical farming helps in environmental conservation as deforestation that accompanies traditional farming can be negated, thus saving resources in the long run.
Indian Market Size for Vertical Farming: The Asia Pacific region is described as one of the most promising markets for vertical farming as the industry is projected to reach $2.77 billion by 2026, marking a 29 per cent growth rate.
Vertical farming in the Asia Pacific is currently valued at $0.78 billion (as of 2021).
The report suggests that continued growth and innovation of vertical farming in the region will be driven by India’s need to feed a growing population and the fast-growing demand for organic products. Moreover, vertical farming is quickly gaining popularity in India with more startups and companies entering the market every year.
