Advantages and disadvantages of vertical farming

Vertical farming involves the production of crops in an enclosed area where all factors of production are under control. The planting containers are stacked to form a story-like structure, which ensures that space is fully utilized.

The main factors of production, which include perfect temperature, humidity, and vertical farming lighting, must all be controlled and kept in check if the vertical farming process is to yield sufficient returns.  The following comprises the advantages and disadvantages of vertical farming.

Advantages

Ensures constant crop produce

Vertical farming is the most reliable form of food production technique. It guarantees consistent food production all through the year. This is made possible by the fact that food production takes place in a controlled environment. Therefore, you do not have to worry about adverse weather conditions when doing vertical farming since you have everything under control.

The crops are able to thrive through all seasons since they are not exposed. The idea of seasonal crop production does not exist in a controlled and monitored environment. Hence, there repeated crop production.

Utilises space ideally

Unlike conventional farming that is only made possible on large acreages of fertile land, vertical farming does not require any piece of land to make it a reality. You can carry out vertical farming even inside your house by setting apart a room, or the basement for vertical farming purposes.

Since vertical farming requires the stacking up of containers or planting media, minimal space gets used up. Out of the stacked plants, you can harvest so much or attain great productivity from that minimal piece of land. It is estimated that an acreage produces of vertical farming compares to 10 to 20 acres produce from conventional farming methods.

Minimises water usage

Vertical farming involves practicing a hydroponic farming process where only 10% of water is necessary for vertical farming to thrive. Moreover, vertical farming minimizes the use of crop nutrients such as fertilizers plus additional nutrients. The water that circulates through the vertically stacked crops comes out clean, which can then be re-used. That way, vertical farming minimizes costs and diminishes wastes.

Diminishes transport expenditures

Given that vertical farming can thrive anywhere, you can decide to grow the crops close to where your customers live. Hence, you eliminate the need for transportation of the farm produce as you can easily get to your customers. Additionally, there is no need for refrigeration of the produce since you can easily get to your customers. Other customers can even choose to pick the produce from your area of residence. Hence, the transport plus other delivery related costs diminish.

Minimal labour costs

The initial set-up of the vertical farming system requires a great deal of labor to help set up the stacks of plant growing media, and to grow the crops. However, over time, the need for labor reduces. You will mostly require labor during the harvest and packaging of the produce. Other than that, the need for labor will be entirely minimal.

Moreover, the labor that you will require to help out I the vertical farming business venture need not have any special skills. Therefore, the amount you spend on labor is minimal.

Limits occupational hazards

Unlike the conventional system of farming where farmers are exposed to injury, vertical farming is human friendly and minimizes farmers’ exposure to injury. Moreover, the farmers are safe from injuries that could result from the use of heavy farming gear.

Devoid of use of any farm chemicals and pesticides

Since vertical farming takes place in a controlled environment, there minimal to no entry of pests or diseases into the farming area. Hence, there is no need for chemicals and pesticides.

Disadvantages

Less pollination

Pollination is often facilitated by insects and the wind. Pollination is necessary for the plants to produce. However, given that vertical farming takes place in a controlled area, insects have no entry. Therefore, farmers are often encouraged to use manual pollination.

Technology reliant

Given that vertical farming takes place in a controlled environment, there is a great deal of technology utilization. Lighting technologies, temperature and humidity control technology, plus other technologies are employed in vertical farming. The failure of one or all the technologies can result in the failure of the whole vertical farming process.

Affects communities

The communities that are accustomed to farming the conventional way will be most affected with vertical farming if it were to be practiced largely. Given the benefits that accrue from vertical farming, it is likely to be adopted by many. That will result in the facing out of conventional farming, which is often practiced by the poor. Hence, the poor will be affected.

Conclusion

Vertical farming is a great way to increase production that meets the needs of the growing population. It great as it guarantees consistent large farm produce all through the year, since production takes place in a controlled environment.