Urbanization is quickly taking up the space that would usually be utilized for farming. More people are moving into towns in search of a better life. With the upsurge in the urban populace, more land is being translated into settling grounds as commercial and residential houses are constructed. Therefore, people have to turn to find other means of growing food for consumption.
Vertical farming is an indoor food production technique that enables city dwellers to produce micro greens, fruits, plus vegetables in minimal and enclosed areas. A very small surface area is required to practice organic farming. Vertical farming can be both beneficial and challenging. Hence, this article will outline some of the advantages and disadvantages of this type of farming.
Advantages of Vertical Farming
There are numerous pros of vertical farming. Some of them comprise:
Crops produce increase and grow all-year-round
It is possible to produce crops all through the year. That can be attributed to the controlled conditions in the environment, which is regulated by vertical growing technologies. The regulated environment allows the crops to provide optimal yields. For example, the use of a greenhouse LED lighting system (which you can find here: https://scynceled.com/shop/green-house-lights/) can enable greater light and temperature regulation for the crops as required, which can prove beneficial in terms of plant growth and crop quantity, among other things.
Moreover, vertical farming, when compared to regular field farming, is more productive. For instance, it is estimated that one acreage of an inside space produces crops equivalent to the produce of four to six acres of outside farming activities.
Weather-resistant
Producing crops inside reduces the crops’ susceptibility of the crops to harsh weather conditions such as drought and floods, and pests, something which outdoor crops rely on coverings from companies like Pro-Tect Plastics, to survive. The main factor that has led to the success of vertical farming is that the farmers have total control over the environment.
Crops grown in the field are exposed and therefore are vulnerable to the adverse effect of natural calamities such as flooding, torrent rains, drought, and cyclones.
Very little water is used
Vertical farming allows for the cultivation of crops using significantly less water compared to traditional outdoor farming, with estimates suggesting a reduction of 70-95% in water usage. This efficient use of water makes vertical farming a sustainable choice, particularly in areas where water resources are limited. Although the water requirements for vertical farming are considerably lower, effective pond management remains crucial, as it enhances the overall sustainability of the farming process.
Production of organic foods
Vertical farming enhances the farming of organic, non-synthetic, and healthy foods. That is made possible by the simple fact that there is limited to no use of herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers to enhance the growth of the crops.
Human and environmentally friendly
Inside vertical growing reduces the occupational dangers related to regular outdoor farming. There is no exposure associated with the use of hefty equipment in farming.
Disadvantages of Vertical Farming
Even with the advantages mentioned above, there are some few but serious cons that this intricate system of farming presents. They include the following.
They are costly
The vertical farming system can be expensive, especially with construction and technological installations in the system. Constructing the skyscrapers costs, in addition to heating, lighting, and labor costs, can make this system of farming expensive. All these costs may end up outweighing the benefits derived from vertical farming. Therefore, do cost and benefits analyses before you embark on vertical farming.
- Large amounts of electricity consumption
Vertical farming, when especially practiced for commercial purposes, utilizes high levels of electricity. Electricity is needed to regulate various growth conditions in the inside farming. For instance, light, which is vital for the growth of plants in the vertical structure, is produced by electricity.
The modern LEDs system is utilized as a source of artificial vertical farming lighting, which enhances productivity. It can be expensive to maintain the LED lighting system as a small-scale farmer. Even for you, as a commercial farmer, they have to incur huge electricity bills.
Higher labor costs
They are situated in the urban areas where the costs of labor are high. Additionally, there is a need for skilled labor to facilitate the vertical farming system’s running and success.
Pollination difficulty
Since vertical farming takes place in a controlled environment, pollination becomes a challenge where there are no insects. Hence, pollination has to be carried out manually, which is hectic.
Too much reliance on technology
The inventions of improved technologies heighten efficiency and diminish costs. However, the vertical growing system is greatly reliant on technology to facilitate various farm operations such as lighting, sustaining temperature, and moisture. Hence, loss of electricity or power even for a single day can result in extensive losses.
If it were the traditional farming equipment, they could have operated without the use of electricity and at spare cost. At the most, they would have needed replacement parts like the ones available at websites like https://www.costex.com/ and like services, or some repairs. These would not have also affected the day-to-day activities of farming.
Conclusion
Vertical farming has both advantages and disadvantages. It would be best if you did proper benefits-costs analysis to determine whether it is worth investing in the vertical farming system, or not.
