A conservative projection by IMF authors predicts the world’s population will surpass 9 billion by 2050. With the world’s population rising, food security and sustainable food production are more crucial than ever. Additionally, increasing centers of industry and densely populated cities leave farmers with less and less farmable land. These circumstances have put an emphasis on farming developments, such as vertical farming.
Why is Vertical Farming Important?
Instead of cultivating land in conventional, horizontal rows, farmers may now practice vertical farming, a system that involves growing crops in columns. This farming practice produces more food from the same area as traditional crops. Keep reading to learn more about why vertical farming is the future of food.
Sustainable Progress
Sustainable and environmentally friendly methods have priority in vertical farming. This farming method reduces food miles (the distance food travels to reach the store) and perishable food spoilage since the crops are near major cities.
Additionally, better resource management is possible with vertical farming. One farm may save between 15 and 20 million gallons of water annually by capturing and recycling water.
Although electricity is necessary to pump nutrients and power lighting systems that mimic sunlight for vertical farming, these costs are minimal, especially for farms adopting 100 percent low-impact renewable energy.
Making the Most Out of Limited Space
With vertical farming, our farmers can produce the same amount of food in a fraction of the area required by conventional, horizontal farming methods. Additionally, soil quality is not an issue when constructing a vertical farm.
Any unused space, whether a warehouse, storage facility, or shipping container, can become a vertical farm. As a result, urban areas lacking access to agriculture may provide their residents with fresh vegetables using this growing method. The conversion of abandoned factories into vertical farms might prevent further deforestation for agricultural purposes.
Safer Than Traditional Crops
Vertical farming also has the added benefit of producing safe foods. We learn about a new E. coli outbreak linked to leafy greens seemingly every month. Because of this, people worry a lot about the safety of the food they eat. These epidemics often spread from surrounding animal farms because of contaminated irrigation water and black water discharge. The nature of traditional farming can make it difficult to determine the source of the problem in these situations.
No Downtime
Many folks strike out on certain fruits and vegetables because they are no longer in season. Vertical farming doesn’t believe in seasons because it takes no days off.
The four seasons have little effect on the productivity of indoor vertical farms. In contrast to traditional farms, vertical farms are not vulnerable to severe weather. With a regulated climate, harvests remain consistent throughout the year. This stability ensures the year-round availability of seasonal, locally cultivated vegetables for consumers.
We must realize that vertical farming is the future of food since nobody knows how much farmland we will lose by 2050 and beyond. This unique farming method may solve the problems of sustainable agriculture and provide a steady food supply.
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