VIABILITY of Vertical Farming

The past decade has witnessed an increased dependence on technology and tech-enabled agriculture. The government, too, has been actively promoting the adoption of agri innovations, including AI, ML and monitoring of crops via satellite. With a focus on increasing productivity and providing precise data to cultivators for informed planning, technology has made significant inroads. Vertical farming is one such technological marvel gaining traction worldwide. It is particularly popular in smaller countries facing land constraints and water scarcity. Countries such as Singapore, the Middle East, the UK, and Japan have embraced vertical farming, revolutionising their agriculture. However, in India, while vertical farming has gained some momentum, its adoption remains limited to urban areas, as traditional farming is still the more convenient and profitable choice for rural cultivators. Yet, there is a new crop of startups that are keen to make vertical farming widely accepted by farmers and consumers alike. Let’s explore this further.

- Nitin Konde

Around the world, sustainability has become a driving force across industries, including agriculture. Many countries are shifting towards farming solutions that demand less land, water and pesticides, with a focus on organic practices. Of course, these countries, either aren’t blessed with favourable climatic conditions, adequate and reliable rain, rich soil, and in some cases, a vast expanse of arable land. Vertical farming is one such solution empowering cultivators to grow produce with minimal land and water usage, and almost no pesticides or insecticides. Despite its promising prospects, vertical farming still has a long way to go to match the scale of traditional farming. The industry is presently valued at close to $200 million, with estimates suggesting it will double in size over the next five years.

The demand for eco-friendly, regionally produced, and natural products is witnessing a significant rise, a trend mirrored in the commercial feasibility of vertical farms. Technological advancements have driven down production costs, making vertical farms a viable alternative to traditional farming methods that heavily rely on pesticides and fertilisers. In the US alone, the number of active vertical farms exceeds 2,000. Buildings or shipping containers can house these farms, achieving greater yields than conventional outdoor farming, using 70-95 per cent less water.

Vertical farming entails growing crops vertically, optimising yield from the same land area by stacking crops. These stacked layers are often installed in structures that are not naturally suitable for farming, such as skyscrapers, warehouses, shipping containers, greenhouses, and even indoor facilities.