Reading time: 6 mins/
You might be wondering, "Is agriculture really going vertical?"... As you read this, it is already happening in many places, and it is up to us to talk about it.
Unlike traditional agriculture, vertical farming is a method that allows more crops to be grown in a smaller area by using the area volumetrically, not only in terms of floor space, but also in terms of height.
Emergence
So why the need for such an alternative when there is already a method of agriculture that has been in place for years?
Advancements in technology and new opportunities are key drivers of migration to smart cities. However, migration is not only accompanied by sociological problems but also by the issue of accommodation. This has led to a gradual decrease in the amount of agricultural land, which is being replaced by buildings and left outside the city.
The Logistics Challenge
Every food has its own storage conditions and expiration dates. However, as agricultural areas are becoming increasingly remote from cities, access to healthy and long-lasting products is becoming increasingly difficult both in terms of transportation and cost. Damage during transportation, logistics costs during transportation, extended duration, and storage conditions increase the cost of the product and reduce its quality.
In addition to these problems, current and outdated agricultural practices are hugely damaging to our planet. Agriculture is cited as one of the main causes of climate change, deforestation, and soil degradation. This problem is so big and significant that in the last 40 years we have lost a third of our arable land, which means that even if we wanted to, we would run out of arable land in the future.
An Unstoppable Population Growth
In general, the population is growing at about 1% per year, even faster in some countries. Even today, it is difficult to feed the population with the materials we have, and it is a known fact that we will run out of resources in the future. Animal feed, combined with the amount of water and energy used in agriculture, has made our resources more and more depleted.
Considering all these reasons, vertical agriculture emerged as a way to feed the growing population and protect our resources.
Away from the city, farmland has shrunk to the balconies of homes. Access to unhealthy and costly products, such as logistics costs, has been eliminated, at least for those who use this method…
Examples of Vertical Farming
1. Vertical (Turkey)
Vertical, operating in Caddebostan, is one of the most prominent initiatives in Turkey with its restaurant-oriented vertical farming practices. This project, implemented by Elif Boyner, adopts soilless and vertical farming methods to support sustainable food production.
Thanks to this system, greens such as fresh basil, purslane and arugula are grown directly in the restaurant. Mushrooms are also produced and used in special recipes in the kitchen.
Vertical's vertical farming technology leaves a 96% smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional methods, and reduces water consumption by 300 times. In addition, it composts food waste into animal food and donates it to shelters to create a sustainable cycle.
With this innovative approach, Vertical stands out as one of the exemplary projects that both minimizes environmental impact and provides direct fresh food production within the city.
2. AeroFarms (USA)
Based in New Jersey, USA, AeroFarms is a pioneer in the field of vertical farming. Founded in 2004, it adopts a production model that consumes much less water than traditional agriculture and increases productivity through soilless farming techniques. With the use of artificial light and advanced systems that allow plants to take nutrients from the air, it grows healthy crops without pesticides. AeroFarms specializes in the production of greens and microgreens.
3. Infarm (Germany)
Berlin-based Infarm is an innovative startup driven by the idea of growing fresh produce in urban areas. The company aims to provide consumers with the freshest vegetables by developing modular agricultural systems that can be located inside businesses such as supermarkets, restaurants and hotels. Using artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to increase efficiency in production processes, Infarm produces water-saving solutions by adopting a sustainable agriculture approach. It operates in many locations in Europe, North America and Asia.
Features of Vertical Farming:
1. High Productivity: Growing plants in the vertical area instead of the horizontal area allows more production in limited areas. It allows many crops to be grown in a smaller area.
2. Water Saving: Hydroponic (water-fed) or aeroponic (air-fed) systems used in vertical farming use water much more efficiently than traditional farming methods.
3. Reduced Chemical Use: Since closed systems are used, protection from external factors (pests, diseases, etc.) is easier. This helps reduce the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
4. Climate Control: Temperature, humidity, light and other environmental factors can be controlled in indoor vertical farming. This allows plants to grow stably throughout the year.
5. Urban Farming: Vertical farming makes it possible to farm in empty spaces in cities. This can improve food security and facilitate access to fresh food.
Advantages of Vertical Farming over Traditional Agriculture:
1. Space Saving: Vertical farming makes efficient use of limited space in cities and rural areas. Food can be produced even in areas that are not suitable for agriculture, especially in residential areas.
2. Reduced Environmental Impacts: Vertical farming reduces soil erosion and the use of chemical fertilizers. It also saves water, because traditional farming methods lose large amounts of water.
3. Access to Fresh Food: Vertical farming near urban centers provides easier and faster access to fresh food products. This reduces the need for food transportation and lowers the carbon footprint.
4. Disease and Pest Control: When farming indoors, the impact of external factors (e.g., pests, and diseases) is reduced, resulting in healthier crops.
To summarize, vertical farming offers a more sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional agriculture. It may become more widespread in the future as it has the potential to increase food production, especially in limited areas and cities, reduce its environmental impact and contribute to food security.