If you’ve kept up with current trends in farming, you might know about vertical farming systems, which are growing in popularity. These systems stack plants on top of each other, which has several benefits for both the farmer and the plants. However, you might wonder whether vertical farming is ecologically sustainable when you first hear about it. This article should help explain whether vertical farming is viable as a sustainable farming method.
Space Utilization
Perhaps the most obvious reason why vertical farming is sustainable is the way it utilizes space. A lot of farms and individual gardens have very limited floor space, especially for indoor areas. By stacking plants in vertical systems, you can grow many more plants without taking up more floor space.
Indoor Control
Along with the better utilization of space, vertical farming systems typically sit indoors when in use. This means farmers can control the environment and everything they expose their plants to. This yields several benefits, such as the ability to grow out-of-season crops year-round and easy organic growing.
Efficiency
The real reason why vertical farming is ecologically sustainable is the efficiency of each farming system. Most vertical systems use unique watering systems that reduce water waste almost completely, and they eliminate dirt, as the plants don’t need it for their growth. This helps eliminate a lot of the waste that comes from farming and is what makes vertical farming very sustainable.
Implementation
Now, these high-density vertical growing systems are extremely useful for growing plants in an ecological way, but they’re not meant as full farming systems that override other farming methods. They function best as supplements alongside regular farm systems and can be great for individuals who want a smaller farm or garden area. They also serve as great local food sources, giving places without fresh produce a way to grow local food and decrease transportation and shipping costs.
These are all reasons why vertical farming is more than just a small farming system; it’s a fully sustainable farming method that works in conjunction with other methods. Vertical farming systems can provide the best food for local people and reduce the environmental impact of growing crops normally.
