In today’s time, the trend of using new techniques in the field of agriculture is increasing rapidly. Another such new technique is vertical farming. Moreover, the need for high-yielding farming techniques in less space has grown with the continuous decrease in the country’s cultivable land rate. Therefore, the trend of vertical farming has increased rapidly.
What Is Vertical Farming?
Vertical farming generally grows small crops using open spaces and walls of buildings and apartments. This is a multi-level method. In this type of cultivation, we construct a multi-layered structure in a single room. The lower part of this structure has a tank filled with water. Then, keep small pots of plants on the upper surface of the tank. Later, provide nutrient-rich water gradually to these plants using a pump. Due to this, plants grow rapidly and it requires LED bulbs to generate light.
This type of farming does not require soil and the crops are more nutritious and fresh than the farms. However, if you use this technique outdoors, you must control the temperature. In this, we can use mediums like aeroponic, aquaponic and hydroponic. One advantage of this type of farming is that it requires very little water. It saves about 95% of water. Moreover, crops grown on rooftops, balconies, and parts of multi-storey buildings in the city are also a form of vertical agriculture. Apart from this technique, farmers are using various farming machines in traditional agriculture, such as a New Holland tractor to boost crop production.
Vertical Farming Benefits
- With this technique, we can produce more crops in less space.
- There is no risk of damage to the crop because, in vertical farming, we use artificial light and cover so that there is no side effect of weather on the yield.
- In traditional farming, we use many types of chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides to save the crop, due to which there is a risk of many diseases.
- Vertical farming does not require much water.
- This technology is a very useful option in the future.
- With this technology, the farmers’ income will increase manifold, which will also improve their standard of living.
- This farming does not require much labour because it is an automatic technique.
Vertical Farming In India
The practice of vertical farming is still less in India, but farmers are using a Mahindra tractorin traditional agriculture techniques. Moreover, this vertical agriculture is mainly popular in metro cities Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi and some other cities. Initially, it began by entrepreneurs as a hobby, but later it became a commercial enterprise.
The entrepreneurs of these cities use techniques like hydroponics and aeroponics. So it is very important to have technical knowledge in vertical farming. This farming is already famous in America, China, Singapore, Malaysia and many other countries.
Vertical Farming Origin
The concept of vertical farming was first introduced in 1999 by Dickson Despommier, a Public and Environmental Health professor at Columbia University. He created a concept challenging his students on whether or not food could be grown on the roofs of New York skyscrapers. Therefore, a 30-story vertical farm grown by hydroponics and artificial light could feed approximately 50,000 people.
As a result, developers and governments around the world started paying attention to vertical farming and implemented it in cities like Abu Dhabi, Los Angeles, New York, Bangalore, Dubai, Beijing, etc. As a result, this farming technique generated about $1.8 billion investment between 2014 and November 2020.
Types Of Vertical Farming
- Vertical Farm In Buildings
Abandoned buildings are repurposed for vertical farming, but it is optional that such facilities are often used. New buildings are also popular for building vertical farms depending on the requirements.
- Shipping-Container Vertical Farm
Recycled or old shipping containers are fitted with LED lighting, vertical farms, climate control and monitoring sensors. These types of farms can save space and yield more in the process.
- Underground Vertical Farm
Another name for an underground vertical farm is “Deep Farm”. These vertical farms are built in underground tunnels, abandoned mine shafts or underground environments. The constant temperature and humidity mean that there is less requirement of energy to heat them, and we can use an underground water source for the water supply. Such farms can also generate 7 to 9 times more food than conventional farms.
Conclusion
By the year 2050, about 80% of the world’s population is estimated to live in urban areas, and the growing population will increase the demand for food. In such a situation, vertical farming can probably play an important role in preparing for such challenges. Therefore, many campaigns and programs are promoting the utilisation of vertical farming to generate a higher income with less investment and spacing. We hope that this blog will help you to solve all the queries related to vertical farming by answering all your questions.
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