Scientists has been working for this future to address food which can grow in “all seasons”, everywhere” and in a ” sustainable manner” This is what we call as “urban agriculture ” and this will shape in the form of vertical farming” based in platforms known as ” agricultural towers”. Roof top farms are the first great step in vertical farming, they take traditional agriculture and put them on the rooftop. Lets have a look at some e.g. in Montreal ” Lufa Farm established 2011″ is located 10 minutes from downtown on a rooftop, where it is close to the consumers and the harvest can be used on the same day.
There is growing awareness among consumers who want to know “where food is produced and how it is produced” locally grown is gaining momentum. In New York it is estimated that there is approximately 3000 acres of flat roof top space in buildings which can hold rooftop farms. Prof Dickson Despommier is an emeritus professor of microbiology and public health at Columbia university has developed his concept of vertical farming which started with his students of ecology in his class. His Hypothesis towers capable of feeding 30,000 people for an entire year.
Hydroponics on an average uses 10% of water which traditional agriculture uses – water which will be the most sought after resources in the near future. Hydroponics also enables to increase the ” density ” of plants in a small space hence increased production. Each plant is individually fed according to its type and growth phase. In this controlled environment we can grow more crop cycles per year then we could have done outdoors. If pests are able to intrude the growing environment the use of “integrated antiparasitic approach” which is an old fashioned methods control aphids by distributing lady bugs.
LEDS bring in benefit much energy efficient then high pressure sodium lights. LEDS can be placed “any place very close” to the plant which cannot be done with other traditional lights and can burn the plant. For Agronomists a new research opportunity has opened up in the form of making a “light recipe” which light combinations in space and time will effectively help in growth.
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VERTICAL FARMING – PROVIDING PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO URBAN CITY CHALLENGES