What is vertical farming and how does it work?
Vertical farming is an agricultural method that involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers, using controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology, such as hydroponics or aquaponics. IGS vertical farms take CEA further with total controlled environment agriculture (TCEA) to enable year-round crop production.
TCEA controls artificial lighting, temperature, humidity, and nutrient solutions to create tailored growth recipes for the crops in each layer. These recipes ensure the best possible growth and yield.
Why would you choose vertical farming?
At IGS, we believe that vertical farming technology is not here to replace traditional agriculture, but rather work alongside it. Open fields and greenhouses can be used alongside a vertical farm, working together to create a more sustainable future for food production. This enables growers to grow crops regardless of extreme weather, pests and disease, and throughout any labour shortages.
Let's look at the several advantages vertical farming offers and how it can improve the production, efficiency and sustainability of existing growing operations.
Year-round growth
The main benefit of vertical farming is its ability to produce crops year-round, regardless of weather conditions and seasonality. In contrast, other farming methods rely on seasonal weather patterns which, due to their erratic nature and a changing climate, can limit the production and yield of crops. This makes vertical farming especially suited to seed to harvest crops such as leafy greens, micro-greens and herbs, as well as starter plants such as lettuce, tomatoes and strawberries.
Maximise space
Another benefit of vertical farms is efficient use of space. As populations continue to grow and land becomes more limited, vertical indoor farming offers a solution to produce more food per square meter of land (an IGS vertical farm with a 41m2 has a growing area of up to 520m2, for instance). This means farms can be located closer to the consumer, shortening supply chains and working to decarbonise the food industry.
Eliminate pests and disease
In the biosecure environment of a vertical farm, pests and diseases can be prevented or managed without the need for chemicals, which traditionally damage soil and surrounding water sources, causing biodiversity losses. Our Growth Towers use no harmful chemicals, protecting crops and allowing growers to increase yield.
Get the most from natural resources
Vertical farming uses significantly less water than traditional farming, because vertical farms recycle and reuse water. An IGS vertical farm recycles around 95% of the water used, harvesting natural rainwater which is then purified for use in our closed-loop irrigation system. This is especially important as water scarcity is a major concern in many regions of the world.
Is vertical farming right for my business?
Whether vertical farming is right for your business depends on a variety of factors, including the type of crops you want to grow, the size of your operation, and your business goals.
Consider the crops you want to grow. If you plan to grow seed-to-harvest crops that require relatively little space and have a short growing cycle, such as leafy greens or herbs, then vertical farming is the perfect fit for your business.
Vertical farming is also a great solution for growing starter plants or propagules. It can be used as part of a hybrid approach, giving plants the best possible start to life vertically, and removing the need for imports and cold storage.
If you want to extend your crop production cycle or diversify the crops you currently grow (helping you to increase your revenue) vertical farming in a good solution. We can help you get started and build a business case for investing in a vertical farm.
What can you grow in an IGS vertical farm?
Growing leafy greens in vertical farms
Leafy greens are one of the most commonly grown crops in a vertical farm. They require relatively little space, have a short growing cycle, and can be easily grown using our ebb-and-flood hydroponic system. Some examples of leafy greens that can be grown in a vertical farm include lettuce, basil, pak choi and kale amongst others.
Growing starter plants in vertical farms
Starter plants or propagules such as tomatoes and strawberries are commonly grown in vertical farms, with the systems providing the necessary nutrients and growing conditions. The starter crops can then be moved into a greenhouse, poly tunnel or open-field to continue to grow.
Small fruiting crops such as chilies can be fully grown, repeatably in an IGS vertical farm. We have grown over 13 different varieties of chilies at our Crop Research Centre in Scotland since 2020.
Growing starter plants vertically helps ensure a reliable supply of high-quality starter plants, and reduces reliance on imports
.jpeg)
Growing fruit in vertical farms
Fruits can also be grown in vertical farms, although the growing process can be more challenging than with leafy greens due to the height of the plants. This type of crop works well as part of a hybrid approach, planting seedlings in a vertical farm before transplanting them to a greenhouse or open field to finish their growth.
Growing trees in vertical farms
Vertical farming systems are ideal for growing tree seedlings as they provide pinpoint control over factors such as light, temperature, humidity and nutrient levels. This is especially advantageous for young seedlings, who are more vulnerable to external stresses and can benefit from a completely controlled, stable growing environment.
Growing tree seedlings in a vertical farm can also result in improved yields as the growing area is stacked vertically. This means more plants per square metre can be grown than with standard seedling growing methods.
Growing medicinal plants in vertical farms
A medicinal crop, also known as a pharmaceutical crop, is a plant cultivated specifically for the production of pharmaceutical or nutraceutical products.
Vertical farming is an excellent approach for growing medicinal crops because it allows for year-round production, reduced contamination risk, efficient use of space, and no need for pesticides. As a result, high-quality crops are produced on a consistent basis regardless of external conditions, containing high levels of specific plant compounds needed in the manufacture of medications or pharmaceuticals.
Who is IGS?
Founded in Scotland in 2013, IGS combines farming and engineering expertise to create vertical farming technology. Our tech solutions help deliver profitability and increased yield, while addressing pressing global challenges such as food security and sustainability.
Our Crop Research Centre is located near Dundee, Scotland, at the James Hutton Institute, a world-renowned crop and plant science research facility. IGS and the Hutton work closely together to expand our understanding of plant science for indoor growing.
With ongoing advancements in technology, vertical farming is poised to play a significant role in global agriculture. Get in touch to find out more about how IGS technology could help your business.
