🏭CommercialAgriculture & Food • Precision Agriculture

Vertical Farming Systems

Vertical farming systems grow crops in stacked layers using LED lighting and hydroponic/aeroponic systems, achieving 95% water savings and 365-day growing seasons while using 95% less land than traditional agriculture. These controlled environment systems can produce 10-20 times more crops per square meter with zero pesticide use. Companies like AeroFarms and Plenty operate commercial facilities with production costs targeting $2-5 per kg for leafy greens.

How It Works

Plants grow in vertically stacked trays using soilless growing media and nutrient solutions delivered through hydroponic or aeroponic systems. LED lighting systems provide optimized light spectra and photoperiods for each crop growth stage. Climate control systems maintain precise temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels for optimal growing conditions. Automated systems handle seeding, transplanting, monitoring, and harvesting operations.

Advantages

Enables year-round production independent of weather and climate conditions, eliminates pesticide use and reduces water consumption by 95%, and provides local food production reducing transportation emissions. Vertical farming produces consistent quality and eliminates crop losses from weather events. The technology enables urban agriculture and food security in food desert areas.

Challenges

Very high energy consumption from LED lighting systems, substantial capital costs of $10-40 million for commercial facilities, and limited to high-value crops like leafy greens and herbs. Operating costs remain 2-5 times higher than greenhouse production. Technology requires skilled operators and sophisticated control systems.