The Future of Vertical Farming: Overview & Benefits
Agriculture is a booming industry in this day and age. Some farming practices may prioritize quantity of yield over soil and land health, damaging the environment. But vertical farming methods may have nature’s best interests at heart.
What is Vertical Farming?
This term refers to farming in layers stacked vertically upwards. The goal is to produce crops in environments that are not the most hospitable. Vertical farming is done in a very sterile environment and so in many cases, it is safer than a traditional farm. Though vertical farming is considered an emerging technology, the main benefit is their versatility. Vertical farming works for urban neighborhoods, chilly climates, and even the rooftops of buildings. In Canada, vertical farming has the capacity to increase food production and expand our agricultural options. We are a country with bitterly cold conditions for nearly half of the year, or for some regions, even more. Year-round farming options would be beneficial for us.
What Growing Methods are Used?
Vertical agriculture is facilitated in closed quarters. These farmers use several different growing methods:
1. Hydroponics
Hydroponics is the process of growing produce without soil. Farmers can grow herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables by substituting solutions rich in nutrients, water, and air. As a result, produce has much faster growing periods, is higher in quality, and makes for better yields.
2. Aquaponics
Aquaponics works alongside hydroponics while adding some fish into the mix. It is a symbiotic relationship. The plants benefit from having natural fertilizer from the nutrients in the water. At the same time, the fish also benefit by having purified water.
3. Aeroponics
Much like hydroponics, aeroponics does not use soil as its medium. Instead, the plants hang in a misted environment and absorb a nutrient solution through their suspended roots. Most aeroponic systems use LED lights that mimic sunlight rays, allowing them to grow indoors for a higher production rate.
What are the Benefits?
As with all new innovations, there are pros and cons to vertical farming:
1. Less space
When farming outdoors, farmers need yards of land to grow healthy crops. The soil must also be rich in nutrients. Vertical farming allows for a much higher production rate in a much smaller area. This is advantageous because vertical farms can be created virtually anywhere.
2. Water usage and fossil fuel reduction
Reduced water usage is one of the major selling points for vertical farming. On a large scale, vertical farming can help people who experience water shortages. There is a drastic decrease in water supply costs, unlike in traditional farming.
Traditional outdoor farming also require towing, sowing and use of fertigation equipment, all of which increase the amount of fossil fuels in the atmosphere. This is not a problem for vertical farms.
3. Little-to-no pesticide use
Indoor vertical farming exponentially increases crop health. Their humidity-controlled environments drastically reduce or even remove the need for pesticides to prevent insects and fungus growth. This results in safer produce for Canadians.
The Disadvantages?
1. Power & labor costs
A general pattern you will notice with disadvantages of new technologies is money. The financial aspect of vertical farms is still not fully clear. It continues to change as the technology improves and automation increases. The costs required to maintain controlled environments can add up.
Also, because many vertical farms are in urban settings, labor costs can be quite high to keep all necessary technologies in shape. Even with automation, costs for skilled labor can still be high.
2. No pollination
As they are indoors, vertical farms lack the insects needed for pollination. Only manual pollination is an option, which is another significant cost.
Vertical Agriculture: Solving Canada’s Food Supply Shortage?
Vertical farming is predictable. It can diligently handle LED lighting, temperature, humidity and irrigation to maximize efficiency. Annually, this farming method consumes less than 5% of what is used to water greenhouses. The best part is, there is a 99.5% chance of high yields and farmers can gauge how much produce they receive. Many of Canada’s vital transports have come under scrutiny due to climate change and the fallout in British Columbia involving their farmers and transport highways. The country had lost an estimated almost half a billion in yield. Vertical farming produces consistent results, and so the grocery brands and sellers wants to get in on the action. Canada can’t remain dependent on imported produce, or else our food supply could be at risk if the winter months refuse to give us produce or not enough of it. Who will feed Canada if that happens?
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Sources:
https://www.climatecontrol.com/blog/benefits-of-vertical-farming/
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-you-should-know-about-vertical-farming-4144786
