3 emerging trends in vertical farming that will cultivate the future of agriculture – Intelligent Living

The concept of vertical farming has been gaining popularity for a while now. According to estimates from the United Nations, the global population is expected to witness a massive surge from 7.8 billion to 9.7 billion over 2020-2050. A rising number of urban dwellings may define this population explosion almost two-third of this number will likely be residing in urban areas. Increasing industrialization has also led to an increase in income levels in recent years.

These developments are giving rise to a new, larger, richer, and more demanding demographic. To meet the soaring expectations of the growing population, strong emphasis must be placed on enhancing sustainable food production and agriculture productivity in the years ahead.

As per experts, if the world needs to address the major upsurge in food demand in the coming years, remedies must be undertaken to help the natural resources replenish. One such remedy could be the recently emerging trend in agriculture, vertical farming.

The acute need for sustainability in the current landscape is expected to drive this revolutionary technology, that is far more conducive to the environment than its conventional counterpart. Vertical farming techniques allow for the production of nearly 240 times the crop yields of conventional farms, requiring 99% less land use and 98% less water consumption. Vertical farming operates on controlled environmental resources and can also be undertaken in agriculturally unfavorable locations, such as shipping containers, vacant warehouses, skyscrapers, and more since they are stacked vertically rather than spread across an expanse of land.

Noted below are 3 crucial advancements that are shaping the future of the vertical farming market, and in essence, the future of agriculture itself.

As per projections from Algorithmias 2021 Enterprise Trends in Machine Learning report, over 50% of the businesses surveyed revealed plans to increase expenditure for AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) in 2021, with 20% having already increased their budgets. This means that a substantial chunk of businesses expenditure in recent times will contribute to the development of AI-based machines and tools across myriad industrial sectors.

The farming and agriculture industry is one of the sectors leveraging the potential of AI.

By using AI-powered tools and robotics, modern farmers and key agricultural industry players are able to track and control plant development, right from the soil, water, and light exposure to the crop yield data.

For instance, a San Francisco-based agricultural technology startup, dubbed Plenty, has established an advanced climate-controlled vertical farming setup, as a part of its efforts to reinvent farming. These upright farms, equipped with AI-powered robots which control watering, temperature, and lighting, are able to produce 720 acres worth of fruit and vegetable yields in just 2 acres of farmland. The facility also makes use of LED panels to replicate sunlight, creating more optimal conditions for growth round-the-clock.

Furthermore, the recapture of evaporated water and recycling efforts contribute to less wastage than conventional farms. Consequently, the next-gen, AI-powered vertical farming technology, designed as a contemporary and highly efficient alternative to conventional farming methods, has helped reduce the use of both land and water by as much as 99% and 95% respectively.

Studies show that the global economy consumes over 90 trillion natural resources. Of these, the world reuses a mere 8% for other purposes. Surging industrialization has led to rising resource demand and climate change. This is in turn, has led to a rise to environmental hazards, like droughts, floods, and water shortages.

Given the worsening conditions, the most befitting answer to this challenge seems to be a circular economy model, which will help fight climate change adversity and improve the economic landscape at the same time.

Switzerland-based startup, YASAI has come up with a concept that emulates this theory, by integrating vertical farming technologies into a circular economy model, which empowers customers to grow more with less and develop sustainable food production systems. Originating as a Masters Thesis, the startup was established with an aim to convert the agriculturally unsuitable landscape of an abandoned limestone quarry in one of the smallest nations, into one of the largest vertical farming facilities worldwide.

Focusing on health, sustainability, and circularity, numerous efforts are undertaken by YASAI to transform the agricultural landscape of La Sarraz, including recycling concrete for mitigation of grey energy, recycling nutrients from wastewater, and leveraging the existing limestone mines setting as a natural coolant solution for the facility. Furthermore, the startup makes use of captured rooftop rainwater to supplement its irrigation systems, geothermal heat pumps that allow for internal cooling via activated ceilings, repurposed biowaste for electricity generation and CO2 captured from compressors to support plant growth.

In this manner, YASAIs vertical farms are working towards achieving a potential fresh produce yield of almost 3,525 tons each year, whilst capturing nearly 614 tons of CO2 annually, and subsequently shedding light on the contribution of vertical farming technologies towards achieving circularity in food production.

Aeroponics a revolutionary alternative to traditional soil & water-based farming

Years and years of relentless soil usage have resulted in the rising prevalence of soil erosion across several regions, leading to a significant shortage in farming land. This factor, along with burgeoning climate concerns, may boost vertical farming market trends in the foreseeable future.

Aeroponics vertical farming proves to be a boon in these situations, as it relies on air and requires almost 95% less water and space for farming purposes. The recent determination to grow plant life in unfavorable environments has led to many studies and developments in alternative agriculture.

A notable example of this is indoor vertical farming leader, AeroFarms, which has been pioneering innovations in vertical farming since its inception in 2004, including breaking ground on its most technologically advanced and largest indoor aeroponic vertical farm to date, dubbed the Model 5 farm, in April 2021.

The firm is known for its proprietary aeroponics technology, which combines the benefit of engineering, data science, nutrition, food safety, and genetics to facilitate optimum year-round production of over 550 different plant varieties ranging from tomatoes, to berries to leafy greens, irrespective of weather or seasonal changes.

The world seems to be standing on the precipice of a devastating food crisis over the next few decades. Yet, consistent efforts, technological advancements, and growing financial support may prove to be a much-needed solution to bridge the gap between the expanding population and agricultural capabilities.

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3 emerging trends in vertical farming that will cultivate the future of agriculture - Intelligent Living