Plant factories are the future of farming. And a new
Vertical Farming & Plant Factory markets are expected grow with technological advancements. Image via Innoplex.
Plant factories are the future of farming. And a new
Vertical Farming & Plant Factory markets are expected grow with technological advancements. Image via Innoplex.
Because Plant Factories employ Controlled Environment Agriculture practices, crops are safer and not exposed to pests and diseases and therefore don’t require massive amounts of herbicides and pesticides as in traditional agriculture. According to the Wintergreen Research report, Plant Factories yield two to four times faster than in open-field agriculture and the yields themselves are ten to twenty times greater. The systemized nature of the Plant Factory means that constant crop improvements can be made in order to perfect efficiency and quality. This is ideal especially for high-value crops which need to maximize efficiencies throughout the grow cycle to maintain their margins.
Plant Factories are an optimal testing ground as well for new technologies in lighting and energy. Advancements in solar and wind energy mean that operating a Plant Factory can now have environmentally and resource-friendly power options. Additionally, the horticultural lighting used in Plant Factories is highly energy efficient and is designed to maximize growth. The LED’s used in a Plant Factory provide the full spectrum of light that plants require to optimize growth, enhance light during winter months, and offer more “day light” that is timed to provoke certain growth stages.
This fully automated technology is just one step closer to the complete systemization of our lives. Food is a vital aspect in our existence so naturally it only makes sense to maximize efficiencies and make appropriate investments in our ability to produce fresh, healthy food. The technology available to us now means that more people will have the opportunity to produce food at home and in businesses meaning that not only is food production once again looked at as an innovative economic engine, but it’s also capable of becoming a massive social enterprise as well.
Feature Image: Plant Factory vertical farm in Singapore. Image via BBC News.
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