The Pros And Cons of Vertical Farming

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As our population grows, we experience significant environmental consequences as we use an increasing amount of the planet’s resources. By 2050, the global population will have surpassed nine billion. Therefore, the world desperately needs to develop sustainable agricultural methods to feed the human population. 

However, when experts looked for sustainable food alternatives, they found just a few efforts that could barely feed the growing populations of cities. The objective was to develop a sustainable system capable of providing food on a large scale. They came up with a solution in the form of vertical farming. You might ask: what is vertical farming?

Vertical farming is the method of cultivating plants vertically in layers. Plants can be lifted above the ground, allowing for more plants in the same area. This kind of gardening optimizes both space and production.

 The Pros of Vertical Farming

Vertical farms offer a potential solution to humanity’s sustenance problems for the following reasons:

  • Year-Round Production

Vertical farms can grow crops regardless of season because they have complete control over the technologies necessary to operate them. A vertical farm can provide the humidity and light that plants need. A few months of the growing season are replaced by year-round harvesting.

  • No Need For Pesticides

Vertical farms are controlled environments located in structures like warehouses or buildings. Pests such as slugs, snails, and other critters cannot access the crops. Neither can weed seeds nor roots, for that matter. As a result, there’s no need for pesticides or insecticides. In other words, vertical farm crops are grown in an organic environment.

  •  Less Wastage

There’s a significant reduction in food waste when there’s no threat of shifting weather conditions or annoying pests. Pests and diseases cause conventional farmers to lose up to 30% of their yields every year. However, with vertical farms, this figure drops dramatically.

Additionally, since the food produced by vertical farms is often sold locally, it helps reduce emissions from transportation and the time it takes from farm to table. Fruit and vegetables will be in the hands of a customer in only a few hours, as opposed to many days of transportation during which items might spoil.

  • Reduced Water Consumption

 Water is recycled repeatedly in a hydroponic vertical farm, which means that once the system is working, only a small quantity of fresh water is required. Indeed, these greenhouses use around 95% less water than conventional agriculture. That’s a significant difference and could undoubtedly free up a substantial portion of our freshwater resources for other uses.

  • Less Space

It takes far less room to grow the same quantity of food, which is especially advantageous in urban areas where outdoor space is limited. Unlike conventional farming, vertical farms enable individuals to build up. They also build farms out of old structures like abandoned warehouses and buildings, which they turn into new farms.

 The Cons Of Vertical Farming

While vertical farming seems promising and helpful to people and the environment, there are some drawbacks.

  • Pollination Problems

Bugs and insects are essential contributors to crop production on farms. On the other hand, vertical farming excludes them altogether from the process, so everything is done manually. 

Hand pollination is expensive and time-consuming because it requires many workers, making it the least efficient method available. In addition, employees will have to go to each tier, which would reduce employee productivity. 

  • Dependent On Technology

Vertical farming is heavily reliant on numerous technologies for lighting, temperature control, and humidity control. Although improved technology will constantly boost efficiency and reduce expenses, being highly dependent on it might pose a problem. For instance, a technology issue could easily hamper crop production.  

  • Requires More Energy

For vertical farms, artificial light is both a strength and a drawback. Thanks to artificial light, vertical farms can produce crops regardless of the length of the day or the season. However, this artificial light may have to be on for long periods every day.

Energy bills might skyrocket as a consequence. Therefore, the price of power can significantly impact vertical farms. A vertical farm’s rooftop solar panels can only generate so much energy, and only if there’s adequate light.

In addition, if there’s a power outage or even a system failure, the crops in a vertical garden might be lost. A consistent supply of energy is needed for vertical farms.

  • Threat To Rural Agriculture

Vertical farming may also destabilize the rural economy, particularly in areas where incomes rely primarily on agriculture. Vertical farms may replace regular farms, and farmers without vertical farming skills would be out of work. Agriculture-dependent communities would suffer.

Conclusion

Vertical farming provides several benefits, including less reliance on the weather, reduced water usage, and the ability to convert urban areas into functional farms. Vertical farming also has many drawbacks. They’re overly dependent on technology and use a lot of energy.

Vertical farms are still a work in progress. Meanwhile, don’t write off this technology just yet. It might be the most efficient and sustainable solution to alleviate hunger.