An agricultural revolution is happening in urban areas all around the world. It involves high rise buildings and attempts to address a city's food requirements. The plan is also environment-friendly. The innovative technique is called vertical farming. This method uses up to 90% less water than traditional farming and saves on a lot of space.
Vertical farming also uses less soil to operate. The use of novel systems like aeroponics, which works by letting crop roots hang in the air that are then sprayed with nutrients, allows for a lot of control over the crops. This technique will produce larger yields. In comparison, traditional farming methods run a 50-50 risk of crop loss.
The benefits also spread to other areas of city life. The availability of food within the city will reduce the number of trucks making deliveries, Eco Watch reported. This obviously affects traffic and also contributes to cleaner air. The availability of fresh fruits and vegetables within the city also promotes better health.
Instead of sprawling outward, vertical farming stretches upward. The idea is so feasible that many examples of vertical farming are sprouting up everywhere, the Wall Street Journal reported. One of the best examples is located in Sweden and the building is a modern triangular 12-story structure. This design takes full advantage of the available sunlight and also allows for easier harvesting.
Some other notable examples of vertical farming can be found all over the world. Panama, for instance, has the Urban Vertical Farms. It was established in 2010 and farms and distributes produce for North America and Europe. The Wigan University Technical College Vertical Farm in England is a research center and promotes urban farming. Both places utilize hydroponics and aeroponics.
The high cost of actually setting up the infrastructure of vertical farming in the heart of the city is a major obstacle to getting more cities to adopt this scheme. However, the success rate of current projects is a good sign that more urban areas will opt in as well.
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