#vertical farming techniques

[harisharandevgn]

Vertical Farming Techniques and Advantages

Vertical farming techniques involve the cultivation of crops in vertically stacked layers or on vertically inclined surfaces, often in controlled indoor environments. These advanced systems utilize artificial lighting, climate control, and hydroponic or aeroponic systems to optimize plant growth.

One key advantage of vertical farming is efficient space utilization. By growing plants vertically, it maximizes land use and allows for higher crop yields per square meter compared to traditional farming methods. This is particularly beneficial in urban areas where space is limited.

Another advantage is the year-round crop production capability of vertical farming. It is not dependent on seasonal changes or weather conditions, as the controlled environment provides consistent and optimized growing conditions. This ensures a stable and reliable supply of fresh produce throughout the year.

Vertical farming also reduces the need for pesticides and herbicides since the controlled indoor environment minimizes the risk of pests and diseases. Additionally, water usage is significantly reduced in vertical farming due to efficient irrigation systems like hydroponics or aeroponics, where water is circulated and reused.

Moreover, vertical farming offers the potential for localized food production, reducing transportation costs and carbon emissions associated with long-distance food distribution. It also allows for the cultivation of a wide range of crops, including leafy greens, herbs, and even some fruits, providing fresh and nutritious produce locally.

Overall, vertical farming techniques offer numerous advantages, including efficient space utilization, year-round crop production, reduced pesticide use, water efficiency, and the potential for localized food production. These benefits contribute to sustainable and resilient agricultural systems in urban environments.

[naturalintelligence]

Benefits of Vertical Farming: Efficiency, Conservation, and Quality

Vertical farming is a revolutionary approach to agriculture that combines modern technology with sustainable practices. It allows crops to be grown in vertical layers, making it highly efficient and suitable for urban areas where space is limited. Let’s dive deeper into this innovative farming technique, its methods, benefits, and the potential it holds for the future of food production. What is…

[ggacworldwide]

Unlocking the Potential of Vertical Farming: Watch Our Exclusive Video!

🌱🏙️ Discover the future of farming with our exclusive video on the benefits of vertical farming! 🎥 🌱🏙️ Discover the future of farming with our exclusive video on the benefits of vertical farming! 🎥 Vertical farming is reshaping the landscape of agriculture, offering innovative solutions to the challenges of food production in urban environments. Our video dives deep into the world of vertical…

[agricultureandfarming]

Farming Become Easier in Modern Times | Niche Agriculture

Modern Farming Techniques 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture, staying abreast of modern farming techniques is crucial for maximizing productivity and sustainability. From precision agriculture to vertical farming, this comprehensive guide explores cutting-edge methods that can revolutionize your farming practices in 2024 and beyond.

Innovative Precision Agriculture:

Embrace the power of precision agriculture to optimize resource utilization and enhance crop yields. With GPS-guided machinery and advanced sensors, you can precisely monitor soil conditions, moisture levels, and crop health in real-time. By leveraging data-driven insights, you'll make informed decisions on seed placement, irrigation schedules, and nutrient application, leading to increased efficiency and profitability.

Unlocking Vertical Farming Potential:

Discover the potential of vertical farming to overcome land constraints and meet the demands of urbanization. By stacking crops in vertical layers within controlled environments, you'll maximize space utilization and minimize environmental impact. LED lighting and hydroponic systems ensure optimal growing conditions, allowing for year-round production of fresh, nutritious crops. Embrace vertical farming to cultivate a diverse array of vegetables, herbs, and even fruits in urban settings, promoting local food security and reducing transportation emissions.

Sustainable Practices for Future Success:

Incorporate sustainable farming practices into your operations to safeguard the environment and ensure long-term viability. Implement conservation tillage techniques to minimize soil erosion and improve soil health. Embrace cover cropping and crop rotation to enhance nutrient cycling and suppress weeds naturally. Explore regenerative agriculture principles to rebuild soil organic matter and sequester carbon, mitigating the impacts of climate change. By prioritizing sustainability, you'll not only protect the planet but also future-proof your farming enterprise against emerging challenges.

Harnessing Technology for Efficiency:

Leverage the latest advancements in agricultural technology to streamline your workflow and boost efficiency. From automated irrigation systems to drone-assisted crop monitoring, technology offers unprecedented opportunities to save time and resources. Embrace farm management software to track expenses, monitor yields, and analyze performance metrics, empowering you to make data-driven decisions with confidence. Embrace robotics for labor-intensive tasks such as planting, harvesting, and weed control, freeing up your time to focus on strategic planning and innovation.

Conclusion:

In today's fast-paced agricultural industry, mastering modern farming techniques is essential for success. By embracing precision agriculture, vertical farming, sustainable practices, and technology-driven solutions, you'll unlock new levels of productivity, profitability, and sustainability. Stay ahead of the curve by adopting innovative approaches that position your farm for success in 2024 and beyond.

[nasa]

Spinoffs: Space Station Innovations in Your Cart (and Heart!)

You might think NASA technology is just spaceships and telescopes, but did you know the camera in your cell phone is, too? It’s one of many NASA innovations now found everywhere on Earth.

The International Space Station has had crew living on it for 25 years straight. In that time, the space station has enabled a tremendous amount of research, helping NASA and scientists better understand long-term living in space – but it’s not just knowledge coming back down to Earth! Technologies developed for the space station and experiments conducted aboard the orbiting lab also benefit people on the planet below. Here are a few of these inventions, or spinoffs, you can find in your everyday life.

A Sunscreen That Blocks Radiation in Space – and on Your Face

After surviving for 18 months outside the International Space Station, an extremely hardy organism is now improving sunscreens and face cream products from a cosmetics company, which licensed use of the organism from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Build Muscle With or Without Gravity

Muscles atrophy quickly in space, so when astronauts began long stays on the International Space Station, they needed some specialized exercise equipment. A resistance mechanism made of a coiled metal spring formed the basis of the first way for astronauts to “lift weights” in space. Soon after, that same design became the heart of compact home gym equipment.

Fresh Greens Every Day of the Year

The need to grow fresh food in space pushed NASA to develop indoor agriculture techniques. Thanks to the agency’s research, private companies are building on NASA’s vertical farm structure, plant-growth “recipes,” and environmental-control data to create indoor farms, resulting in higher crop yields and better-quality produce while conserving water and energy and eliminating the need for pesticides.

Cultivating Hearts and Knees in Space

Gravity is a significant obstacle to bioprinting cells and growing human tissue on Earth because heavier components settle to the bottoms of petri dishes. In the absence of gravity, each cell layer stays in place, which is how it’s possible to grow heart and knee tissue on the space station. The same principle also allows mixing of complex pharmaceuticals on orbit.

Storing Oodles of Energy

NASA chose nickel-hydrogen batteries to power the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station because the technology is safe, reliable in extreme temperatures, and long-lived. NASA’s improvements brought down the cost of the technology, which is now used by large-scale utilities and renewable power plants that need to store energy generated by intermittent sources.

You can read about many more products sourced from the ISS on spinoff.nasa.gov.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[reasonsforhope]

"In some cities, as many as one in four office spaces are vacant. Some start-ups are giving them a second life – as indoor farms growing crops as varied as kale, cucumber and herbs.

Since its 1967 construction, Canada's "Calgary Tower", a 190m (623ft) concrete-and-steel observation tower in Calgary, Alberta, has been home to an observation deck, panoramic restaurants and souvenir shops. Last year, it welcomed a different kind of business: a fully functioning indoor farm.

Sprawling across 6,000sq m (65,000 sq ft), the farm, which produces dozens of crops including strawberries, kale and cucumber, is a striking example of the search for city-grown food. But it's hardly alone. From Japan to Singapore to Dubai, vertical indoor farms – where crops can be grown in climate-controlled environments with hydroponics, aquaponics or aeroponics techniques – have been popping up around the world.

While indoor farming had been on the rise for years, a watershed moment came during the Covid-19 pandemic, when disruptions to the food supply chain underscored the need for local solutions. In 2021, $6bn (£4.8bn) in vertical farming deals were registered globally – the peak year for vertical farming investment. As the global economy entered its post-pandemic phase, some high-profile startups like Fifth Season went out of business, and others including Planted Detroit and AeroFarms running into a period of financial difficulty. Some commentators questioned whether a "vertical farming bubble" had popped.

But a new, post-pandemic trend may give the sector a boost. In countries including Canada and Australia, landlords are struggling to fill vacant office spaces as companies embrace remote and hybrid work. In the US, the office vacancy rate is more than 20%.

"Vertical farms may prove to be a cost-effective way to fill in vacant office buildings," says Warren Seay, Jr, a real estate finance partner in the Washington DC offices of US law firm ArentFox Schiff, who authored an article on urban farm reconversions. 

There are other reasons for the interest in urban farms, too. Though supply chains have largely recovered post-Covid-19, other global shocks, including climate change, geopolitical turmoil and farmers' strikes, mean that they continue to be vulnerable – driving more cities to look for local food production options...

Thanks to artificial light and controlled temperatures, offices are proving surprisingly good environments for indoor agriculture, spurring some companies to convert part of their facilities into small farms. Since 2022, Australia's start-up Greenspace has worked with clients like Deloitte and Commonwealth Bank to turn "dead zones", like the space between lifts and meeting rooms, into 2m (6ft) tall hydroponic cabinets growing leafy greens.

On top of being adaptable to indoor farm operations, vacant office buildings offer the advantage of proximity to final consumers.

In a former paper storage warehouse in Arlington, about a mile outside of Washington DC, Jacqueline Potter and the team at Area 2 Farms are growing over 180 organic varieties of lettuce, greens, root vegetables, herbs and micro-greens. By serving consumers 10 miles away or less, the company has driven down transport costs and associated greenhouse emissions.

This also frees the team up to grow other types of food that can be hard to find elsewhere – such as edible flower species like buzz buttons and nasturtium. "Most crops are now selected to be grown because of their ability to withstand a 1,500-mile journey," Potter says, referring to the average distance covered by crops in the US before reaching customers. "In our farm, we can select crops for other properties like their nutritional value or taste."

Overall, vertical farms have the potential to outperform regular farms on several environmental sustainability metrics like water usage, says Evan Fraser, professor of geography at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada and the director of the Arell Food Institute, a research centre on sustainable food production. Most indoor farms report using a tiny fraction of the water that outdoor farms use. Indoor farms also report greater output per square mile than regular farms.

Energy use, however, is the "Achilles heel" of this sector, says Fraser: vertical farms need a lot of electricity to run lighting and ventilation systems, smart sensors and automated harvesting technologies. But if energy is sourced from renewable sources, they can outperform regular farms on this metric too, he says. 

Because of variations in operational setup, it is hard to make a general assessment of the environmental, social and economic sustainability of indoor farms, says Jiangxiao Qiu, a landscape ecologist at the University of Florida and author of a study on urban agriculture's role in sustainability. Still, he agrees with Fraser: in general, urban indoor farms have higher crop yield per square foot, greater water and nutrient-use efficiency, better resistance to pests and shorter distance to market. Downsides include high energy use due to lighting, ventilation and air conditioning.

They face other challenges, too. As Seay notes, zoning laws often do not allow for agricultural activity within urban areas (although some cities like Arlington, Virginia, and Cincinnati, Ohio, have recently updated zoning to allow indoor farms). And, for now, indoor farms have limited crop range. It is hard to produce staple crops like wheat, corn or rice indoors, says Fraser. Aside from leafy greens, most indoor facilities cannot yet produce other types of crops at scale.

But as long as the post-pandemic trends of remote work and corporate downsizing will last, indoor farms may keep popping up in cities around the world, Seay says. 

"One thing cities dislike more than anything is unused spaces that don't drive economic growth," he says. "If indoor farm conversions in cities like Arlington prove successful, others may follow suit.""

-via BBC, January 27, 2025

[whencyclopedia]

The Sweet Track

The Sweet Track is a Neolithic timber walkway, located in the Somerset Levels, England. It was originally part of a network of tracks built to provide a dry path across the marshy ground. The Sweet Track ran between what was then an island at Westhay to a ridge of high ground, close to the River Bruce. The remains of mounds have also been found at Westhay, indicating the remains of a settlement.

About 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) long, the Sweet Track was discovered in the 1970s CE during a peat excavation by Ray Sweet, (who also gave the track its name). Using dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) the track has been dated 3807/3806 BCE. For many years it was thought to be the oldest trackway in Northern Europe, until 2009 CE when a slightly older one was discovered in Plumstead, London.

The Somerset Levels are an area of wetlands and peats. The conditions of such areas can naturally lead to the preservation of organic materials. Materials become encased in a wet and airless environment, thus preventing, to a degree, decomposition. Wooden artefacts and structures have been recovered from the Levels, as well as the two well-preserved Iron Age villages of Glastonbury and Meare.

The track would have been built by a community of Neolithic farmers living in small settlements. Farming had spread from the Middle East and by this point was firmly established in Britain. According to pollen evidence, the whole of Britain would have been covered in forests at this time. The Neolithic peoples would have burnt and cleared the forests to have the land on which to grow their crops, mostly grains. A fair degree of organization is evident in the stockpiling of wood and construction of the tracks, and some members of the community would have had to have skills in woodworking. Using stone and flint axes, the trees for the track were cut on dry land with different cutting techniques used, depending on their age. Older oaks were cut vertically whilst younger trees tangentially. Modern research has been carried out using replica axes and the cut marks have also been studied to establish the methods of cutting used. The planks of wood were put together in the marsh, the final construction taking about a day to complete. Long poles were driven slantwise into the ground and then planks were laid in between, held in place by vertical pegs. The planks were made of oak, ash and lime. The poles and pegs were made mainly of hazel and alder. There are also remains of another track, known as the “Post Track”, which dates 30 years earlier than the Sweet Track, 3838 BCE. It ran roughly parallel to the Sweet Track, possibly used by the builders of the Sweet Track as an access route.

Artefacts have been found beside the track, among them, pottery and axe heads including one made of jadeite. Whether they had been deliberately buried, perhaps as an offering, or just lost, remains unknown. There have been many Prehistoric trackways found in England, but more than half reside in Somerset. Included in these are the Abbot's Way, Eclipse, Honeygore, Meare Health and Garvins tracks. They were constructed using varying styles, such as corduroy - laying short logs parallel to each other and side by side. The Sweet Track is the most well-known of these. It has been declared a scheduled monument (of national importance). Most of it remains in its original location and requires constant conservation to keep the wood in its damp condition. There are reproductions and a donated section now resides in the British Museum, London.

Continue reading...

[cognitivejustice]

The current landscape of hyper-local urban farming across Asia

Globally, urban farming is evolving as cities seek innovative solutions to sustainably feed their growing urban populations. Techniques like vertical farming and hydroponics are at the forefront, allowing crops to be grown in layered setups or water-based environments, minimizing land use, and reducing water consumption.  

Urban farming in Asia presents a rich tapestry of approaches, each shaped by the unique challenges and priorities of the region’s diverse cultures and economies. The rapid urbanization and dense population clusters in Asia make urban agriculture not just a choice but a necessity, driving innovation and adaptation in several key areas. 

China 

China has become a leader in urban agriculture through heavy investment in technology and substantial government support. Initiatives like the Nanjing Green Towers, which incorporate plant life into skyscraper designs, exemplify how urban farming can be integrated into the urban landscape.  

The government has also implemented policies that encourage the development of urban farming, providing subsidies for technology such as hydroponics and aquaponics, which are vital in areas with contaminated soil or water scarcity. 

Japan 

With its limited arable land, Japan has turned to creative solutions to maximize space, such as rooftop gardens and sophisticated indoor farming facilities.  

One notable example is the Pasona Urban Farm, an office building in Tokyo where employees cultivate over 200 species of fruits, vegetables, and rice used in the building’s cafeterias.  

This not only maximizes limited space but also reduces employee stress and improves air quality. 

Singapore 

Singapore’s approach is highly strategic, with urban farming a crucial component of its national food security strategy. The city-state, known for its limited space, has developed cutting-edge vertical farming methods that are now being adopted globally.  

The government supports these innovations through grants and incentives, which has led to the success of vertical farms. These farms use tiered systems to grow vegetables close to residential areas, drastically reducing the need for food transportation and thereby lowering carbon emissions. 

India 

In contrast to the technology-driven approaches seen in other parts of Asia, India’s urban farming is largely community-driven and focuses on achieving food self-sufficiency.  

Projects like the Mumbai Port Trust Garden take unused urban spaces and convert them into flourishing community gardens. These projects are often supported by non-governmental organizations and focus on employing women, thus providing both social and economic benefits. 

Thailand 

Thailand’s urban farming initiatives often blend traditional agricultural practices with modern techniques to enhance food security in urban areas. In Bangkok, projects like the Chao Phraya Sky Park demonstrate how public spaces can be transformed into productive green areas that encourage community farming. These initiatives are supported by both local municipalities and private sectors, which see urban farming as a way to reduce food import dependency and improve urban ecological balance. 

The Philippines 

In the Philippines, urban farming is an adaptive response to urban poverty and food insecurity. Metro Manila hosts numerous community garden projects that are often grassroots-driven, with local government units providing support through land and resources. These gardens supply food and serve as educational platforms to teach urban residents about sustainable practices and nutritional awareness. 

[arorganicfertizer]

ORGANIC FERTILIZER IN FUTURE ?

In the future, organic fertilizers are likely to become increasingly central to sustainable agriculture due to several evolving trends and advancements. Here’s how they might develop and impact farming practices:

1. Advanced Formulations and Technologies

Bioengineered Fertilizers: Future organic fertilizers could be engineered with specific microorganisms or enzymes to enhance nutrient availability and uptake, tailored to different soil types and crops.

Smart Fertilizers: Incorporating sensors and smart technology could enable fertilizers to release nutrients in response to soil conditions or crop needs, optimizing efficiency and reducing waste.

2. Enhanced Nutrient Delivery

Customized Blends: Advances in technology may allow for more precise formulations of organic fertilizers that match the exact nutrient requirements of different plants, leading to improved growth and yield.

Controlled Release: Organic fertilizers could be designed to release nutrients slowly over time, ensuring a steady supply to plants and reducing the need for frequent applications.

3. Waste Utilization and Circular Economy

Innovative Waste Recycling: Organic fertilizers may increasingly be produced from a variety of waste streams, including agricultural by-products, food waste, and even urban compost. This not only reduces waste but also adds value to otherwise discarded materials.

Circular Agricultural Systems: The concept of circular agriculture, where outputs from one process serve as inputs for another, could become more prevalent, with organic fertilizers playing a key role in this system.

4. Climate Change Mitigation

Carbon Sequestration: Organic fertilizers can enhance soil’s ability to sequester carbon, helping to mitigate climate change. Future advancements may focus on maximizing this benefit through improved soil management practices.

Resilient Crop Systems: By improving soil structure and health, organic fertilizers will help crops adapt to changing climate conditions, such as increased frequency of droughts and floods.

5. Integration with Precision Agriculture

Data-Driven Decisions: The integration of organic fertilizers with precision agriculture technologies, such as drones, soil sensors, and data analytics, will enable more accurate and efficient application, tailored to specific field conditions and crop needs.

Real-Time Monitoring: Technologies that provide real-time data on soil health and nutrient levels could lead to more responsive and adaptive fertilizer applications.

6. Regenerative Agriculture

Soil Health Focus: Organic fertilizers will be integral to regenerative agriculture practices that prioritize rebuilding soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing reliance on synthetic inputs.

Holistic Approaches: Future practices may integrate organic fertilizers with other regenerative techniques, such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and agroforestry.

7. Policy and Market Dynamics

Regulatory Support: As governments and institutions place more emphasis on sustainability and environmental protection, organic fertilizers may benefit from supportive policies and incentives.

Consumer Preferences: Growing consumer demand for sustainably produced food will drive the adoption of organic fertilizers, as they align with organic and eco-friendly farming practices.

8. Global and Urban Agriculture

Urban and Vertical Farming: With the rise of urban agriculture, organic fertilizers will be adapted for use in smaller-scale and vertical farming systems, making them suitable for city-based food production.

Global Adoption: As more regions around the world adopt sustainable farming practices, organic fertilizers will play a key role in global efforts to improve food security and environmental health.

[danielkhentwriting]

Course from Udemy Vertical Farming

Odd to have a course. Isn't there a lot to still sort out?

[industrynewsupdates]

Vertical Farming Market Recent Trends and Growth Analysis Report 2024 – 2030

The global vertical farming market size is expected to reach USD USD 24.95 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 20.1% from 2023 to 2030. Increased use of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for producing crops is likely to spur market demand over the forecast period. Information obtained from the sensors is stored on the cloud and analyzed to perform the required actions. The growing automation in agriculture and increasing use of big data and predictive analytics for maximizing yields are also likely to drive the market.

Vertical farming is effective in ensuring stability in crop production and maintaining reliability even in adverse climatic conditions. It provides multiple benefits over the traditional farming technique, such as less use of water, the lesser need for agrochemicals, and low dependence on agricultural labor. Vertical farming makes use of metal reflectors and artificial lighting to maximize natural sunlight.

Genetically modified organisms and the environmental and health effects of pesticides and other non-natural substances that are used for increasing agricultural production have encouraged consumers to adopt organic foods. According to the Organic Trade Association, the U.S. organic industry sales increased by around 5% in 2019 owing to the increased investment in infrastructure and education. As per the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, the handlers and growers of organic products need to comply with the regulations.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Vertical Farming Market

Detailed Segmentation:

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The vertical farming market growth stage is high. The vertical farming market is witnessing a significant degree of innovation, marked by the adoption of advanced technologies such as sensors and cameras in order to enhance resource efficiency, increase yields, and address challenges such as limited space and environmental constraints. Also, technologies such as hydroponics, aeroponics, LED grow lights, and automation systems are commonly employed to enhance efficiency and crop quality.

Market Dynamics

The growth of the vertical farming market is attributed to factors such as steady population growth, government incentives, limited availability of cultivable land, and the increasing demand for high-quality and fresh food. Moreover, the increasing consumer demand for organic food is positively impacting the growth of the vertical farming market, creating favorable business opportunities. With consumers placing a higher value on organic products, vertical farming is a viable solution to meet this demand.

Component Insights

On the basis of components, vertical farming market is segmented into hardware, software, and services. The hardware segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022. Hardware plays a significant role in maintaining an environment in vertical farming. The segment is further categorized into lighting, hydroponic components, climate control, and sensors. The lighting segment led the market and accounted for more than 44.46% of global hardware revenue in 2022. A large share of the lighting segment can be attributed to the dependence of vertical farms on artificial lighting. Artificial lights provide sufficient light intensities required for crop growth. The climate control segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 20.6% over forecast period. Increasing adoption of hydroponic components by farmers to minimize weight load and infrastructure needed to support equipment is anticipated to drive demand for hydroponic components.

Growing Mechanism Insights

The Hydroponics segment registered the largest market share in 2022 and is expected to remain dominant between 2023 and 2030. Hydroponics is a popular growth mechanism due to low installation costs and ease of operations. It is a method of growing plants without soil, where soil is replaced by mineral solution inserted around plant roots. Additionally, the hydroponics method removes the risk of soil organisms causing diseases.

Crop Category Insights

The fruits, vegetables, & herbs segment registered the largest market share in 2022 and is expected to remain dominant between 2023 and 2030. Increasing cultivation of commonly grown fruits and vegetables in vertical farming is driving segment growth. Crops grown in vertical farming provide maximum profit to companies involved in their cultivation. At the same time, vertical farming improves biodiversity as it does not cause land disturbances. As such, vertical farming is in high demand for growing different types of crops. Further, fruits, vegetables, & herbs are segmented into tomato, lettuce, bell, chili peppers, strawberry, cucumber, leafy greens (excluding lettuce), herbs, and others. Among which tomatoes segment led the market and accounted for more than 24.23% of global fruits, vegetables, & herbs revenue in 2022. 

Structure Insights

The shipping container segment dominated the market with a share of about 53.32% in 2022 and is expected to remain dominant between 2023 and 2030. This growth is attributed to the ability of structure to help grow crops irrespective of geographic location. One of the primary benefits of container-based farming is that container farms are easy to transport, and one doesn't require a large piece of land or dedicated building to start cultivating.

Regional Insights

In terms of revenue, Europe dominated the vertical farming market in 2022 with a share of approximately 31.7% and is expected to remain dominant between 2023 and 2030. Growing awareness regarding the importance of alternative farming owing to less availability of fertile agricultural land and increasing population in the region is the key factor anticipated to spur the demand.

Browse through Grand View Research's Next Generation Technologies Industry Research Reports.

• The global synthetic data generation market size was valued at USD 218.4 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 35.3% from 2024 to 2030. 

• The global service virtualization market size was valued at USD 786.0 Million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4% from 2024 to 2030. 

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include Agrilution GmbH; Aerofarm; Brightfarms Inc.; Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd; Freight Farms; GrowUp Urban Farms Ltd.; Green Sense Farms, LLC; Vertical Farm Systems.

• Vertical Farm Systems is engaged in the development of fully automated growing systems with reusable medium and energy efficient climate cells. The company utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and automation for optimized growing conditions.

• Brightfarms Inc., is an indoor farming company that provides fresh packaged salad. The company sells their product locally that are grown in controlled environment. The company is inclined towards development of efficient vertical farming system with a focus on resource efficiency and sustainable practices.

Key Vertical Farming Companies:

• AeroFarms (U.S.)

• Illumitex, Inc. (U.S.)

• American Hydroponics (U.S.)

• Agrilution GmbH

• Brightfarms Inc.

• Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd.

• Freight Farms

• GrowUp Urban Farms Ltd.

• Green Sense Farms, LLC

• Vertical Farm Systems.

Vertical Farming Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global vertical farming market report based on structure, growing mechanism, crop category and region

Vertical Farming Structure Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

• Shipping Container

• Building-based

Vertical Farming Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

• Hardware

o Lighting

o Hydroponic components

o Climate control

o Sensors

• Software

• Services

o System Integration & Consulting

o Managed Services

o Assisted Professional Services

Vertical Farming Growing Mechanism Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

• Hydroponics

• Aeroponics

• Aquaponics

Vertical Farming Crop Category Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017- 2030)

• Fruits Vegetables, & Herbs

o Tomato

o Lettuce

o Bell & Chili Peppers

o Strawberry

o Cucumber

o Leafy Greens (excluding lettuce)

o Herbs

o Others

• Flowers & Ornamentals

o Perennials

o Annuals

o Ornamentals

• Others (Cannabis, Microgreens)

Vertical Farming Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

• North America

o U.S.

o Canada

o Mexico

• Europe

o Germany

o U.K.

o France

o Italy

o Spain

• Asia Pacific

o China

o Japan

o India

o Singapore

o South Korea

• South America

o Brazil

• Middle East and Africa (MEA)

Order a free sample PDF of the Vertical Farming Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

Recent Developments

• In March 2023, BrightFarms, a pioneer in the indoor farming industry, is growing by establishing four additional regional greenhouse centers that introduce sustainably farmed leafy greens to a broader audience in the Eastern and Central United States. The newly built greenhouse centers are expected to meet the rising demand for organic food and initiate distribution to retailers by 2024. With this expansion, the company is expecting 10x revenue growth by 2024.

• In February 2023, AeroFarms and Public Investment Fund (PIF), a wealth funding body of Saudi Arabia, announced a joint venture to establish indoor vertical farms in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia.

[market-insider]

Market Report on Vertical Farming Products: Understanding Size, Share, and Growth Trajectories

The global vertical farming market size is expected to reach USD USD 24.95 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 20.1% from 2023 to 2030. Increased use of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for producing crops is likely to spur market demand over the forecast period. Information obtained from the sensors is stored on the cloud and analyzed to perform the required actions. The growing automation in agriculture and increasing use of big data and predictive analytics for maximizing yields are also likely to drive the market.

Vertical farming is effective in ensuring stability in crop production and maintaining reliability even in adverse climatic conditions. It provides multiple benefits over the traditional farming technique, such as less use of water, the lesser need for agrochemicals, and low dependence on agricultural labor. Vertical farming makes use of metal reflectors and artificial lighting to maximize natural sunlight.

Genetically modified organisms and the environmental and health effects of pesticides and other non-natural substances that are used for increasing agricultural production have encouraged consumers to adopt organic foods. According to the Organic Trade Association, the U.S. organic industry sales increased by around 5% in 2019 owing to the increased investment in infrastructure and education. As per the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, the handlers and growers of organic products need to comply with the regulations.

Artificial lighting helps in extending the hours of natural daylight, which further increases the health, growth rate, and yield of the plants. Artificial lighting such as high-pressure sodium lighting and LED lighting can extend the availability of crops (throughout a season). LED lighting systems produce a dual-band color spectrum and generate low heat. They are anticipated to witness significant growth over the forecast period.

A hydroponic system is a method of growing plants without soil. A hydroponic system eliminates the need for pesticides and artificial ripening agents and helps in producing nutritionally-rich vegetables. However, factors such as high initial investment and fewer crop varieties are likely to restrain the market growth.

For More Details or Sample Copy please visit link @: Vertical Farming Market Report

Vertical Farming Market Report Highlights

The escalating production of biopharmaceutical products is anticipated to drive the market

The shipping container segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022. Shipping container-based farming uses less water than traditional farming with drip irrigation. Shipping containers can be easily stacked, modified, recycled, and refurbished at a lower cost. Additionally, the excess availability of unused shipping containers across the region will likely influence segment growth over the forecast period

The hardware segment accounted the largest market share in 2022. The hardware plays a significant role in maintaining the environment of the indoor farms. The segment is further categorized into climate control systems, lighting systems, sensors, and irrigation systems, which enables the cultivation of indoor-grown crops

The fruits vegetables, & herbs segment is also expected to have considerable growth over the forecast period. The increasing cultivation of commonly grown fruits and vegetables in greenhouses is driving the segment growth. Crops grown in vertical farming provide maximum profit to companies involved in their cultivation

Based on offering, the climate control segment is expected to witness high growth over the forecast period as the growth of crops can be controlled by monitoring and adjusting the concentrations of minerals

By growing mechanism, the aeroponics segment is expected to observe considerable growth over the forecast period as the aeroponics facilitate fast growth in plants (under normal conditions)

The North American regional market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to the expansion of small-scale, commercial vertical farms

Gain deeper insights on the market and receive your free copy with TOC now @: Vertical Farming Market Report

We have segmented the global vertical farming market report based on structure, growing mechanism, crop category and region.

[hahahahawk]

I want a fake person to live in my computer. But not like that.

The neurospicy coping/productivity technique “body doubling” is about seeing someone doing your desired activity helps your executive functioning circuits let you also do the desired activity.

I’m not a scientist about this, I just have a wonky brain that responds well to this (but not working in an open plan office, go figure (that probably has to do with agency and consent, but this is a derail))

Today I tried a utility/tool/“game” called Spirit City: LoFi Sessions. You get an avatar in a cozy apartment, and both avatar and apartment can be customized. You set the lighting/time of day and tell your avatar where to go (“on the bed”, “at the desk”, “on the window seat”, “by the fire”) and what to do (writing, typing, gaming, drawing, meditating, knitting (as a knitter, I judge the knitting animation “not bad”)).

There are lofi-chill out music playlists in the “game” and rudimentary productivity tools like a todo list, a habit tracker, a pompodoro timer, and a “journal” feature.

The gamification is earning coins (by logging in, having the app open, and using the productivity tools) to buy different furniture/clothes and following hints to find new wacky pets.

I’ve spent about 15 years obsessing over productivity tools and techniques, so that side of the utility did nothing for me. I pay for Spotify, so the included music did nothing for me (the songs were pleasant, but repeated too soon for my liking, and I wasn’t interested in manually switching the playlist every 40 minutes). Dress up/decorating does nothing for me.

Needless to say, I got a refund pretty quickly.

Well, I did… but not without some hesitation because holy shit the body doubling aspect did something for me. At a few junctures in the hour-ish I had the program open, I looked over from my main project, saw my avatar typing away at their desk and thought “hell yeah, we’re getting stuff done” then went back to my project without doing any random googling or checking social media.

I considered keeping the “game” just for that aspect, but

The window didn’t fit well on my vertical monitor

The avatar wouldn’t change tasks/take breaks without my input

I would *so much* love to have a CG avatar in the corner* of my screen that would have its own pompodoro timer and mostly spend 5 hours typing on their laptop in a variety of locations, but also model “get up and stretch/snack/drink water” for me.

The interaction I’d want to have with this avatar:

Patting them on the head to tell them they’re going a good job.

I do *not* want that behavior reciprocated to me because I refuse to be complimented by inanimate objects (or people who don’t know what they’re ‘complimenting’)

Them suggesting I take a break whenever they do

Me notifying them when I start a break/get back to work. (I do a lot of flow state work and usually prefer flexible breaks rather than scheduled ones)

I will accept feedback (and data exports) about my working/taking a break patterns

—-

* I think the large default window was both a blessing and a curse for Spirit City. It allowed the avatar to be big enough to feel like a person in an environment instead of a stick figure in a box. But I don’t actually have a lot of screen real estate to give over. So it’s be nice if the program handled being odd window sizes better.

Anyway, Rusty’s Retirement is an idle game that doesn’t scratch the body double itch (though it might if you identify as a robot), but it is a calm farming game that is designed to only take up a strip along the bottom/side of your monitor and it’s been much better for my productivity. It’s great for the occasional quick hit of dopamine (bring it to the front, plant some crops, queue some bot upgrades, put it away again), and also useful for short breaks. On those longer short breaks, I make larger functional and aesthetic changes to my farm, but it generally takes less than five minutes to catch up/run out of content. After that I’m generally ready to jump back into work, and if I’m not it’s usually a sign I need to stand up and take care of some other needs.

[hydroponicgardening]

What plants can be grown hydroponically?

In the world of modern agriculture, hydroponic gardening has emerged as a revolutionary method of cultivating plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions. This innovative approach offers numerous advantages, including efficient resource utilization, faster growth rates, and the ability to grow crops in environments where traditional farming may not be feasible. Among the myriad of plants that can thrive in hydroponic systems, some stand out for their adaptability and productivity.

Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are some of the most popular choices for hydroponic cultivation. They have shallow root systems and high water requirements, making them perfectly suited for nutrient-rich water environments. With the right hydroponic setup, these greens can be grown year-round, providing a consistent supply of fresh produce.

Herbs: Basil, cilantro, mint, and parsley are excellent candidates for hydroponic growth. These aromatic herbs flourish in controlled hydroponic environments, offering superior flavor and quality compared to their soil-grown counterparts. Hydroponic herb gardens are ideal for culinary enthusiasts seeking a convenient and sustainable source of fresh herbs.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are another popular choice for hydroponic cultivation. They thrive in nutrient-rich solutions and benefit from the support of trellises or vertical systems. Hydroponically grown tomatoes often exhibit enhanced flavor and texture, making them a favorite among home gardeners and commercial growers alike.

Cucumbers: Cucumbers are well-suited for best hydroponic systems, particularly when grown vertically to maximize space efficiency. With proper support structures and nutrient delivery, hydroponic cucumbers can produce abundant yields of crisp, flavorful fruits throughout the growing season.

Peppers: Bell peppers, chili peppers, and other varieties can thrive in hydroponic environments. These plants require consistent moisture and nutrient levels, which can be easily maintained in hydroponic systems. With proper care, hydroponically grown peppers can yield bountiful harvests of vibrant, flavorful fruits.

Strawberries: Hydroponic strawberry production has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to maximize space and optimize growing conditions. By utilizing vertical towers or hanging systems, growers can cultivate strawberries without soil, leading to cleaner, healthier fruits and increased yields.

Microgreens: Microgreens are young, tender greens harvested at an early stage of growth. They are packed with nutrients and flavor, making them a popular choice for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. Hydroponic systems offer an efficient means of producing high-quality microgreens year-round, providing chefs and home cooks with a continuous supply of fresh, nutritious greens.

Potatoes: While traditionally grown in soil, potatoes can also be cultivated hydroponically, especially in potato vertical farming systems. With proper tuber support and nutrient delivery, hydroponic potatoes can yield impressive harvests in a fraction of the space required for conventional soil cultivation. Vertical farming techniques optimize space utilization, making them ideal for urban agriculture and limited land environments.

When it comes to choosing the best hydroponics system for growing these plants, several factors should be considered, including available space, budget, and desired crop varieties. Vertical farming systems, such as tower gardens or vertical hydroponic racks, offer an efficient solution for maximizing space and increasing yields. These systems allow growers to stack multiple layers of plants vertically, optimizing space utilization and productivity.

Hydroponic gardening offers a versatile and sustainable approach to cultivating a wide range of plants, from leafy greens and herbs to tomatoes, cucumbers, and even potatoes. By harnessing the power of nutrient-rich water solutions and innovative growing techniques like vertical farming, growers can achieve impressive yields of high-quality produce year-round. Whether for commercial farming operations or home gardening enthusiasts, hydroponics represents a promising frontier in modern agriculture, paving the way for increased food security and environmental sustainability.

[krishilearning]

Horticulture definition & Branches

Horticulture is a subfield of agriculture that focuses on the cultivation, management, and study of plants used for non-food purposes like medicine or industry. It also includes non-food crops like flowers and ornamental plants. In order to produce high-quality and profitable crops for a variety of uses, including food production, landscaping, ornamental adornment, and more, it involves a wide range of plant-related operations, including planting, breeding, irrigating, growing, harvesting, and post-harvest processing. Horticulture is a broad field that includes everything from modest backyard gardens to extensive commercial operations, and it frequently entails the use of specialized knowledge and techniques to improve the growth and development of plants.

Enhancing the quality, quantity, nutritional value, and aesthetic appeal of plants—whether they are cultivated for food, medicine, ornamentation, or other purposes—is the aim of horticulture. To maximize the growing conditions and productivity of plants, horticulturists use a variety of procedures, including breeding, grafting, pruning, and pest management.

Pomology: This branch of horticulture is concerned with the cultivation of fruits. Pomologists study the production, storage, processing, and marketing of fruit crops such as apples, citrus fruits, grapes, and berries.

Olericulture: Olericulture is the branch of horticulture that deals with the production and cultivation of vegetables. It includes the study of vegetables from seed production to harvesting, storage, and marketing. Common vegetables studied in olericulture include tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, and onions.

Floriculture: Floriculture focuses on the cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for their aesthetic and decorative qualities. This branch includes the production of flowers, cut foliage, potted plants, and landscaping materials. Floriculturists often work in the floral and landscaping industries.

Viticulture: Viticulture involves the cultivation of grapes for wine, raisins, and table grapes. This branch covers various aspects of grape production, including vineyard management, pest control, and the study of grape varieties suitable for different purposes.

Oenology: While not strictly a branch of horticulture, oenology is closely related as it involves the study of wine and winemaking. Oenologists focus on fermentation processes, wine chemistry, and sensory evaluation to produce high-quality wines.

Pest Management: This branch is concerned with the study of pests that affect horticultural crops and the development of strategies to manage and control these pests. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical control methods to minimize the impact of pests on crops.

Post-Harvest Physiology and Technology: This branch deals with the handling, storage, transportation, and processing of horticultural crops after harvest. It aims to maintain the quality and freshness of produce from the farm to the consumer.

Urban horticulture: This field of study focuses on the special difficulties and opportunities associated with cultivating plants in urban settings. In order to improve urban green spaces, it includes endeavors like rooftop gardening, vertical gardening, and community gardening.

Seed Science and Technology: Seed science involves the study of seeds, including their development, germination, storage, and viability. Seed technologists focus on the development of high-quality seeds for improved crop production.

Turf Management: Turf management is concerned with the cultivation and maintenance of grasses for lawns, sports fields, and other recreational areas. It involves aspects such as mowing, fertilization, pest control, and irrigation.

These different types of horticulture demonstrate the diversity of plant-related activities and the important role they play in providing food, beautifying landscapes, supporting the economy, and contributing to human well-being. Horticultural practices continue to evolve with advances in science and technology, contributing to improved crop yields, sustainability, and overall quality of plant products.

Kindly visit for more - https://krishilearning.com/branch-of-horticulture/

What you"ll discover here - 

Educational Resources - Our blog serves as a treasure trove of educational content, including articles and lesson plans, all designed to enhance your understanding of agricultural principles, practices and new technology in agriculture. We explore cutting-edge technologies, such as hydroponics, aquaponics, precision farming, and more, to help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of agriculture.

We have designed our website to be user-friendly, making it easy for you to navigate, access, and engage with our content. We value your user experience.

Join Us in Cultivating Knowledge

Whether you are a farmer, a student, a teacher, or simply someone interested in the world of agriculture, krishilearning is here to guide you on your educational journey. Together, we can foster a more sustainable, innovative, and prosperous agricultural sector. Join us in cultivating knowledge, growing communities, and embracing the future of agriculture.

[arkounfarms]

Hydroponic Vegetable Farming: The Future of Sustainable Agriculture in Urban Areas

As cities continue to expand and traditional farmland shrinks, the world is turning to innovative agricultural solutions. Among these, hydroponic vegetable farming has emerged as a promising method of sustainable food production—particularly in urban environments. With minimal soil use, efficient water consumption, and the ability to grow fresh produce year-round, hydroponics is transforming how we view farming in the 21st century.

What is Hydroponic Vegetable Farming?

Hydroponic farming is a soil-less method of growing vegetables using nutrient-rich water solutions. Plants are supported by inert mediums like perlite, coco coir, or clay pellets, allowing roots to absorb minerals directly from the water. This technique enables faster growth, higher yields, and efficient space usage—making it ideal for crowded cities and indoor setups.

Why Hydroponics is Ideal for Urban Areas

Urban agriculture faces unique challenges: limited land, pollution, and high population density. Hydroponic vegetable farming addresses all these issues with solutions that are clean, compact, and efficient.

1. Space Efficiency:

Hydroponic systems can be installed vertically or on rooftops, balconies, and even indoors with artificial lighting. This vertical farming approach allows for dense cultivation in minimal space.

2. Water Conservation:

Unlike traditional farming, hydroponics uses up to 90% less water. The closed-loop system recycles unused water, significantly reducing wastage—crucial for water-scarce urban environments.

3. Chemical-Free Produce:

Urban hydroponic setups are typically housed in controlled environments, minimizing the need for chemical pesticides and herbicides. Consumers enjoy clean, organic vegetables grown without harmful additives.

4. Year-Round Harvest:

With the ability to control temperature, light, and humidity, urban farmers can grow crops regardless of the season, ensuring a steady supply of fresh vegetables.

5. Reduced Carbon Footprint:

Growing food closer to where it's consumed reduces the need for long-distance transportation, storage, and refrigeration. This significantly cuts down the carbon footprint associated with traditional supply chains.

Popular Vegetables Grown Using Hydroponics

Not all vegetables are suited for hydroponics, but many thrive in these systems. Some popular choices include:

Lettuce and leafy greens (spinach, kale, arugula)

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Bell peppers

Basil and herbs

Strawberries (in advanced systems)

At Arkoun Farms, we specialize in growing a range of premium hydroponic vegetables, ensuring freshness and nutrition with every harvest.

The Role of Technology in Hydroponic Farming

Modern hydroponic farms are often powered by IoT-based monitoring, automated nutrient delivery systems, and energy-efficient LED lighting. These innovations make urban farming more scalable and accessible, even for individuals with limited agricultural experience.

At Arkoun Farms, we incorporate smart farming technologies to monitor pH levels, nutrient balance, and environmental conditions—optimizing growth while conserving resources.

Conclusion: A Greener Future with Arkoun Farms

Hydroponic vegetable farming is not just a trend—it's the future of sustainable agriculture in urban areas. As cities grow and the need for local, healthy food intensifies, hydroponics offers a solution that is clean, efficient, and accessible.

At Arkoun Farms, we are proud to be at the forefront of this green revolution. Whether you're a conscious consumer, a curious learner, or a potential urban farmer, we invite you to join us on this journey toward smarter and more sustainable food systems.