Within the horticulture industry, many businesses are looking toward indoor vertical farming options to better control crop growth. By farming in an enclosed facility (buildings, containers, etc.) and making use of indoor farm technology for climate control, growers are experiencing benefits previously unattainable. However, the benefits of indoor growing extend much further than the farm; it is impacting our futures in a number of ways.
What is indoor vertical farming?
Indoor vertical farming is a method of farming where crops are produced on vertically stacked growing shelves to produce more yield per square meter of space. An indoor vertical farm is built in a closed facility, (thus named an Indoor Farm), where all climate conditions can be controlled with precision. Temperature, light, humidity, water etc., can be tightly managed and monitored.
By welcoming the latest technology in indoor farming systems, horticulture businesses are growing steadily and becoming more profitable. Ambitious business goals are being reached due to the following benefits.
The benefits of vertical farming indoors
1. Increased yield
Farmers are not only increasing crop yield through optimal utilization of space, but they are also maximizing yield by growing throughout the year, regardless of any weather condition. They are experiencing yield that is predictable, reliable, and consistent.
2. Improved crop health
Indoor farming companies are improving crop quality. A healthy crop is ensured due to safety from pests, pathogens, and chemicals. Health can also be continuously improved through close monitoring and precise management of the indoor climate conditions.
3. Safer food closer to market
Since the crop can be grown in cities via indoor urban farming methods, fresher products are transported to stores through fewer distribution channels. This means a safer product reaches the consumer.
4. Decreased environmental impact
Because the crop is grown in an enclosed hygienic facility, pesticides are not necessary, and thus contamination of groundwater is prevented. Due to the farms being close to market, pollution caused by transport is also reduced.
5. Efficient use of water
Indoor hydroponic farming ensures that clean, safe water, containing the exact right amount of nutrients is used and reused through water disinfection processes and recirculation systems. Centralized irrigation systems are able to determine the precise moisture balance required for the crop. As a result, an indoor farm can reduce water usage by up to 90%.
Why vertical indoor farming is the future
The world population is growing at 1.1% per year and we need to find a way to feed more people, with safer food, faster. Additionally, we need to do so in a way that is sustainable with the least impact on the environment to protect our planet. Here are 5 reasons why indoor farming companies are in the forefront of safeguarding our futures:
- Due to space optimization, 75 times more food can be produced per square meter of land in a stacked vertical indoor farm to feed the cities of the future.
- Growing food close to the market, a safer product reaches our plates, reducing the threat of polution and the risk of illness.
- Due to improved crop quality, more people can be fed healthy food, improving the health of future generations.
- Excluding pesticides from the farming process means the environmental impact is reduced and we are supporting a greener farming solution.
- Due to efficient use of water, we are conserving this precious resource and, thereby, helping the planet.
Priva’s vision and mission on vertical farming indoor
Priva understands the need to create sustainable solutions to safeguard our futures. We strive to create those solutions. With decades of experience and knowledge in horticulture technology and building automation, our expertise has come together to offer the best solutions for the indoor growing industry.
We are here to help growers reap all the benefits that indoor farming has to offer through state-of-the-art climate control technologies, proficient guidance, and on-going support. We provide hardware and software solutions for managing everything that the plant needs, from temperature to irrigation systems. We have even made it possible for you to run your entire operation from your mobile phone, whenever and wherever you are!
By helping growers, we support safe food supply to the cities of the future, and we believe our innovations in vertical indoor farming will lead the way.
