How can vertical farming be made sustainable?

Utilizing renewable energy resources to power operations, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering the carbon footprint. Replacing traditional lamps with energy-efficient LED lights and implementing smart lighting controls to optimize light intensity and duration based on specific plant needs. Implementing automated systems with precise sensors to maintain optimal temperature and humidity, avoiding unnecessary adjustments and saving energy.

As vertical farming and all controlled environment agriculture systems require a significant quantity of energy, efficiency is a critical factor when considering sustainable food production systems. Renewable energy must be used for lighting and moving away from fossil fuels for heating, CO2 enrichment and power.

Growth media typically used in many systems is Rockwool which is a solid waste product and is very unsustainable. Growing systems which utilize soil, waste materials such as coconut husk or hydroponics or aquapinics, aeroponic growing systems avoid these growth media waste streams.

Leveraging natural light in vertical farming through transparent roofing can significantly cut down on energy use for lighting. It's essential to balance this with temperature control to avoid crop damage. Exploring renewable energy sources like solar and wind, alongside natural cooling and heating methods, can further enhance sustainability. Reflective surfaces might boost light exposure but need careful consideration for worker safety. Efficient design and maintenance can also reduce labor and operational costs, making vertical farming more economically viable and environmentally friendly.

VF has long been referred to as the ideal way to help feed an expanding population. Truly, VF is progressively being seen as the ongoing way of producing towering volumes of exceptional crops perennial round, bring food production closer to customers, and into built-up areas. Apparently, capital cost moves up due to inceptive expenditure on mechanisation, but the fact less people are needed means business expenses decline. Automation can also supply a suitable crop because of the lessen exposure to humans and crops. In the long-run, it is believed that automation will build interior upright cultivation and alluring investment for farmers who wants to adopt a prosperous masterplan for enhancing the capacity of high value produce/product.

VF is a good practice to boost the cultivation of vegetables. The initial setup cost creates a huge barrier to large scale adoption by farmers. Albeit, it is a very important concept in food production.

Choosing high-value crops that can command premium prices, offsetting operational costs and contributing to financial sustainability. Optimizing resource use by tailoring water, nutrients, and energy inputs to specific plant requirements at different growth stages.

Vertical farming cannot replace traditional production. Its acts as a supporting function that can be easily promoted in Urban areas but taking into account sustainability and eco-friendly solutions. It will also assist in innovation and reducing distribution cost especially in cities.

The main things to consider when building a VF is do you want to grow as fast as you can and increase the number if crops cycles you grow. Or do you grow quality Crops and reduce the crop cycles.. Most grow as hot as they can 26c - 28c and also high Humidity of 75%. This creates danger of a weak , thin plant which leads to short shelf life as plants start dying as soon as they are cut. Thin plants can not hold the moisture needed to keep the plants alive. This way of growing you are fighting against every other grower on price and for sales. This is usually led by investors thinking that the more KG you grow the more you earn.

Vertical farming complements traditional agriculture, enhancing urban food supply, especially for high-need groups like children and patients. It's a hub for innovation, advancing research in cultivation technologies, plant growth, and environmental control. This approach supports traditional farming improvements and serves as a vital research laboratory, driving agricultural advancements.