Tech & innovation
Vertical Farming
By the year 2050, nearly 80 % of the earth ' s population will reside in urban centers. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about 3 billion people during the interim. An estimated 109 hectares of new land( about 20 % more land than is represented by the country of Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming practices continue as they are practiced today. At present, throughout the world, over 80 % of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use( sources: FAO and NASA). Historically, some 15 % of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. What can be done to avoid this impending disaster?
Advantages of vertical farming Minimum input – maximum output Vertical Farming is a revolutionary approach to producing high quantities of nutritious and quality fresh food all year round, without relying on skilled labour, favourable weather, high soil fertility or high water usage. �e smart technology integrated into our systems offers many advantages, including:
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1. Reliable harvests Vertical Farm Systems growing cycles are consistent and reliable, allowing commercial growers to con dently commit to delivery schedules and supply contracts. In a wellmanaged Vertical Farm System there are no such thing as ' seasonal crops ' and there are no crop losses. Vertical Farm Systems are fully enclosed and climate controlled, completely removing external environment factors such as disease, pest or predator attacks. It also means our farms are not dependent on fertile arable land and can be established in any climatic region globally irrespective of seasonal daylight hours and extremes in temperature.
2. Minimum overheads Production overheads in Vertical Farm Systems installations are commercially competitive and predictable. In some cases pro tability of over 30 % has been demonstrated even a�er deducting full amortisation of capital equipment over a 10 year period. Minimum overheads and grow costs are maintained through:
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Low energy usage �e use of high efficiency LED lighting technology ensures minimum power usage for maximum plant growth. Computer management of photosynthetic wavelengths in harmony with phase of crop growth further minimises energy use while ensuring optimised crop yields.
Greatly reduced energy usage for climate control is the direct result of not requiring sunlight inside the growing area which enables the use of high thermal efficiency buildings rather than poly greenhouses, and the vertical design of our systems means that for the same growing area the total air volume of a Vertical Farm Systems building is around 88 % less than the air volume of single level growing systems. �e potential for use of green energy and the elimination of fossil fuel powered tractors, irrigation pumps and other horticultural equipment, Vertical Farm Systems can be structured as carbon emissions competitive.
Low labour costs Vertical Farm Systems are fully automated growing systems with automatic SMS text
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