The world is in the midst of several converging resource crises, many of which are
exacerbated by the currently outdated state of industrial agriculture. Arable
land is currently in steep decline worldwide, with over 65% of all agricultural land
on Earth currently being dedicated to growing feeding stock for industrial cattle
farming. Crops often require intensive irrigation, which requires farmers to
drain ancient groundwater reservoirs that can take thousands of years to replenish,
putting an ever-growing strain on our global water supply. However, the most advanced
vertical farming techniques are projected to turn the world of agriculture on its head.
Here are five ways vertical farming technology will fundamentally change how we grow our
food.
1. Vertical farms use much less water when compared to traditional farming methods
With large U.S. states like Texas and California experiencing unprecedented droughts,
and many metropolitan areas imposing strict water restrictions, the need to find more
water-efficient methods of growing crops is becoming increasingly apparent,
particularly during the sweltering summer months. Vertical farming technology consumes
on average 95% less water than conventional farming techniques. They accomplish this
with the use of cutting edge hydroponic and aeroponic technology. The hydroponic
installation cuts down dramatically on water usage by recycling the same nutrient rich
mineral water in a technique known as continuous-flow nutrient culture. The roots of
the plant absorb only the amount of water they need at any given time, allowing the rest
of the water to continue circulating throughout the culture, whereas with a conventional
soil-based medium, the unused water either sinks too deep into the soil base to be
useful or is simply evaporated into the surrounding air. The aeroponic technology is
even more advanced. In this setup, the water is continuously sprayed with a thin mist
of nutrient solution. This technique has no substrate at all, instead having the plant
roots suspended in a large chamber with the air saturated with nutrient solution.
These cutting edge cultivation techniques save tremendously on water resources.
2. Vertical farms are perfectly suited for our modern, hyper-urbanized way of life
As modern societies become more and more densely populated and cities begin to buckle
under the pressure of ever-more urbanized metropolitan areas, the need to grow crops
in a more space conserving arrangement becomes increasingly apparent. Currently, there
are almost 500 cities around the world with populations in excess of 1 million people.
With vertical farming technology, crops can be grown on an industrial scale, in the very
heart of any metropolitan area while at the same time, saving in terms of energy costs.
It may seem counter-intuitive to suggest that an agricultural installation that uses
artificial lighting could actually save on energy costs, but in reality, the ability to
grow crops in a far more confined space means that logistical costs are reduced considerably.
In our current agricultural paradigm, crops are often shipped across long distances,
sometimes even across oceans to make it to market. One particularly egregious case
involves the arid, barren nation of Saudi Arabia buying up thousands of acres of farmland
in the United States for use in alfalfa cultivation, which is then shipped back across
the Atlantic ocean, at a tremendous cost. The ability to grow foods in the very same
area where people live and work means that the costs associated with transporting produce
over long distances may soon be a thing of the past.
3. Vertical farms save space
With a vertical farm installation, up to 16 acres of food can be cultivated on just 1/8
of an acre of space. This represents an exponential increase in the efficiency of
agricultural space requirements. We live in a time where agricultural operations already
constitute almost 50% of all the Earth's land. Fertile land is becoming increasing scarce,
as arable land is currently being lost to desertification at a rate of 12 million hectares
per year. The need to grow crops in smaller spaces is becoming increasingly important.
4. Vertical farming does not require a soil-based medium
Global demands on agriculture have grown so high that farmers are now required to grow
crops on their land all year round, which depletes the soil of its nutrient base over time.
In addition, harsh chemicals, which are not only harmful to the environment but also to
people's health, are commonly used to combat weeds and insects. Vertically farmed crops,
on the other hand, can be grown entirely without the use of toxic herbicides and pesticides.
5. Vertically farmed crops are protected from the elements
With conventional agricultural technology, farmers are severely limited in terms of the
kinds of crops they can grow. Having crops exposed to the elements also means that a
single weather disaster, such as a hurricane or tropical storm can completely wipe out
a farmer's entire yield. Plants are also exposed to a host of damaging pests and weeds,
often forcing crop growers to resort to harsh industrial chemicals in order to mitigate
these external threats to their crops. With indoor vertical farming technology, however,
crops are grown within a climate-controlled environment that allows crops to be protected
from harsh weather conditions, while also shielding them from destructive insects and
weeds. Vertical farmers can more closely monitor each individual plant for damage or
deformities, resulting in a far higher quality product when it finally arrives on you dinner
table.
In many ways, traditional farming methods threaten our modern way of life. Advanced
vertical farming technology seeks to solve many of the problems that are inherent to
conventional farming methods. It saves considerably on water and land, which is
essential, as both of these resources are growing increasingly scarce all around the
globe. It protects vulverable crops from harsh weather, and can even be situated in
dense urban areas. In many ways, the implementation of a vertical farming infrastructure
is the perfect way to revitalize our outdated agricultural sector.
