Vertical farms are transforming agriculture with new technologies that allow for closely controlled artificial environments to grow food year-round. The Innovation Agritech Group (IAG) has developed the GrowFrame method to grow spinach, basil, leafy greens, herbs, and spices, without soil or natural light. This futuristic form of farming has been met with enthusiasm and attracted investment as it offers several environmental benefits.
Advantages of Vertical Farming
Jaz Singh, the founder of IAG, has emphasized that vertical farming comes with environmental advantages such as using 98% less water and no pesticides or herbicides, as the sealed units prevent the intrusion of weeds and bugs. The production is not affected by natural disasters such as droughts or floods, making it a more secure form of agriculture. The crops can be harvested throughout the year, providing a steady supply of fresh produce.
Meeting Future Food Demands
With the world’s population heading towards 10 billion, the need for smarter food production is increasing. Vertical farms offer a solution to this challenge by producing food in environments where water is scarce, and traditional farming is not viable. The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change recently reported that vertical farms could help cities meet 30% of their food needs through local production.
Vertical farming has attracted investors and potential buyers from countries such as Kuwait, who recognize its potential in providing fresh produce in areas with limited resources. This method could also be used in refugee camps to provide urgently needed fresh produce and medicinal plants. Additionally, it could be incorporated into new housing developments to provide fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices.
Complementing Traditional Agriculture
Although traditional agriculture will always play an important role, innovations such as GrowFrame can complement it. For example, vertical farming could produce food in desert environments where water is scarce. Furthermore, intensive algae farms could produce highly nutritious microalgae to meet virtually all human food needs with minimal planetary impact. Bacterial cultures powered by renewable energy could also produce proteins, vitamins, and carbs that match the protein supplied by traditional farming while using significantly less land.
The need for smarter food production is crucial, and innovations such as vertical farms will help to meet the growing demand for sustainable and secure food production in the face of mounting environmental challenges.
