Introduction to vertical farming
It
is no longer a news that land has become expensive due to Urbanization, Industrialization,
and the Migration of people from rural settlement to cities. The recent insecurity
has overtaken our rural settlement thereby making farming difficult in our various
farm lands. This is why the adoption of Vertical Farming System is very
important in today’s economy. This system serve as alternative to the
traditional system of farming.
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| Vertical Tomatoes Farm |
Definition of Vertical Farming
Vertical farming is a Modern way of
growing crops in a vertically stacked layers, which uses controlled-environmental system of agriculture.
it utilizes a system of farming without soil using methods such as: Hydroponics,
Aquaponics, and Aeroponics.
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| Green House Farming |
Brief History
The first known vertical farming is “The
Hanging Gardens of Babylon” build during the era of king Nebuchadnezzar II. In
1915 Gilbert Elllis Bailey, an American Geologiest coined the term “vertical
faming”.
The new concept of
vertical farming was presented in 1999 by Dickson Despommier, professor of Public and
Environmental Health at Columbia University. Prof. Despommier together
with his students proposed a design of a skyscraper farming that could feed at
least 50,000 people. The design successfully popularized the idea of vertical
farming using modern farming techniques.
Countries like: China, Singapore, Israel,
India and the arabian countries use different vertical farming techniques to
cultivate crops.
Vertical farming can be practiced in various locations, often in urban or
peri-urban areas where space is limited, and the demand for fresh produce is
high. Here are some specific places where vertical farming can be implemented:
Places to practice vertical farming
- Rooftops: Utilizing the
roofs of buildings for vertical farms.
- Abandoned Buildings:
Repurposing unused or abandoned buildings into vertical farms.
- Warehouses: Converting
warehouses into controlled-environment farms.
- Shipping Containers: Using
modified shipping containers as modular, scalable vertical farms.
- Greenhouses: Integrating
vertical farming techniques within traditional greenhouses.
- Agricultural Hubs: Setting
up vertical farms in peri-urban areas to supply nearby cities with fresh
produce.
- Restaurants and Grocery Stores:
Some establishments use small-scale vertical farms to grow herbs and
vegetables on-site.
- Educational Institutions:
Schools and universities often set up vertical farms for educational
purposes and to promote sustainable practices.
- Research Facilities: Research centers and agricultural institutions use vertical farms to study and develop new growing techniques.
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| Garden Egg Vertical Farm |
Factors to Consider
- Space Availability: Get
spaces with a vertical height and structural support.
- Energy Sources: Get access
to sustainable energy sources to reduce high energy consumption.
- Water Supply: Reliable and
clean water supply is important for hydroponic and aquaponic systems.
- Market Demand: Easy access
to markets where there is a high demand for fresh, local produce.