Vertical Farming and CEA under Smart Farming

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research


What it is

Vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) involve growing crops in vertically stacked layers or enclosed structures, such as greenhouses or warehouses, with precisely controlled environmental conditions. This approach allows for year-round food production with minimal land and water usage, offering a sustainable solution for urban areas and regions with limited arable land or harsh climates.

Impact on climate action

Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in Smart Farming revolutionize climate action by maximizing food production efficiency. By utilizing vertical space and controlled environments, these innovations reduce land use, conserve water, and minimize pesticide use, mitigating environmental impact and contributing to sustainable food production in the face of climate change.

Underlying
Technology

  • Vertical Farming Systems: Vertical farms utilize stacked layers of growing trays or towers to maximize space utilization. These systems often incorporate hydroponics or aeroponics, where plants are grown without soil, using nutrient-rich water or mist.
  • Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): CEA encompasses various technologies and techniques for controlling environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, light, and CO2 levels, to optimize plant growth.
  • LED Lighting: LED lighting systems provide efficient and customizable lighting for plant growth, allowing for precise control of light spectrum and intensity.
  • Hydroponics and Aeroponics: These soilless growing techniques deliver nutrients directly to plant roots, reducing water usage and minimizing the risk of soil-borne diseases.
  • Automation and Robotics: Automation and robotics can be used to automate tasks such as planting, harvesting, and monitoring crop health, improving efficiency and reducing labor costs.

TRL : 7-8


Prominent Innovation themes

  • Advanced LED Lighting Systems: Innovations in LED lighting technology are improving efficiency and spectral control, allowing for optimization of light conditions for specific crops and growth stages.
  • Precision Climate Control: Advanced sensors and control systems enable precise control of temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels, creating optimal growing conditions for various crops.
  • AI-Powered Crop Management: AI and machine learning algorithms can analyze data from sensors and cameras to monitor crop health, predict yields, and optimize growing conditions.
  • Vertical Farm Automation and Robotics: Robots and automated systems are being developed to perform tasks such as planting, harvesting, and plant care, improving efficiency and reducing labor costs in vertical farms.
  • Integration with Renewable Energy Sources: Vertical farms can be powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar PV or wind power, to further reduce their environmental footprint.

Other Innovation Subthemes

  • Sustainable Urban Agriculture
  • Resource-Efficient Crop Production
  • Advanced Lighting Technologies
  • Climate-Controlled Environments
  • Robotics and Automation in Farming
  • Data-Driven Crop Management
  • Renewable Energy Integration
  • Modular Vertical Farming Units
  • Pesticide-Free Crop Cultivation
  • High-Yield Crop Varieties
  • Urban Food Security Solutions
  • Soilless Growing Techniques
  • Remote Monitoring and Control
  • Agricultural Biotechnology Applications
  • Crop Health Monitoring Systems
  • Vertical Farming Infrastructure Development
  • Multi-tiered Farming Systems
  • Community-Centric Farming Initiatives
  • Crop Diversity Expansion

Related Innovations

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Sample Global Startups and Companies

  1. AeroFarms:
    • Technology Enhancement: AeroFarms specializes in vertical farming, utilizing aeroponic growing systems and advanced LED lighting to cultivate leafy greens and herbs in controlled indoor environments. Their technology focuses on optimizing plant growth through precise control of environmental factors such as light, temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery.
    • Uniqueness: AeroFarms stands out for its proprietary aeroponic growing system, which delivers nutrients to plants through a mist rather than soil, allowing for efficient water usage and high-density cultivation. Additionally, their vertical farming approach maximizes space utilization, enabling the production of large quantities of fresh produce in urban areas with limited land availability.
    • End-User Segments: AeroFarms targets urban markets and food deserts where access to fresh, locally grown produce is limited. Their technology appeals to consumers and retailers looking for sustainable, pesticide-free alternatives to traditional agriculture, as well as to chefs and restaurants seeking high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.
  2. Plenty:
    • Technology Enhancement: Plenty specializes in vertical farming systems that leverage hydroponic growing techniques and data-driven optimization to produce a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs year-round. Their technology focuses on maximizing crop yields and quality through precise control of environmental variables such as light spectrum, nutrient levels, and CO2 concentration.
    • Uniqueness: Plenty differentiates itself through its use of machine learning algorithms and sensor technology to continuously monitor and adjust growing conditions in real-time, ensuring optimal plant health and productivity. Additionally, their vertical farming systems are modular and scalable, allowing for rapid deployment and expansion to meet changing market demands.
    • End-User Segments: Plenty targets both consumer and commercial markets, including grocery stores, restaurants, and food service providers, seeking locally grown, sustainably produced produce. Their technology is particularly well-suited for urban environments and regions with limited access to fresh, nutritious food, where traditional agriculture is impractical or unsustainable.
  3. Infarm:
    • Technology Enhancement: Infarm specializes in modular indoor farming units that integrate hydroponic growing systems with IoT technology and machine learning algorithms to cultivate a variety of fresh produce in urban settings. Their technology focuses on optimizing plant growth and resource efficiency through precise monitoring and control of environmental conditions.
    • Uniqueness: Infarm stands out for its modular farming approach, which allows for flexible installation in a variety of indoor spaces, including supermarkets, restaurants, and distribution centers. Additionally, their cloud-based platform enables remote monitoring and management of multiple farming units, facilitating centralized control and data analysis.
    • End-User Segments: Infarm targets urban consumers, retailers, and food service providers looking for sustainable, locally grown produce with minimal environmental impact. Their technology appeals to businesses seeking to differentiate themselves through offering fresh, hyper-local produce and to consumers interested in supporting urban agriculture initiatives and reducing food miles.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

  1. Wageningen University & Research:
    • Research Focus: Wageningen University & Research is a global leader in research on Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture, focusing on developing sustainable and efficient methods for indoor crop production.
    • Uniqueness: Their research involves the optimization of environmental parameters such as light, temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery to maximize crop yield, quality, and resource use efficiency in vertical farming systems. They also explore novel cultivation techniques, plant breeding methods, and sensor technologies for real-time monitoring and control of plant growth conditions.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in urban agriculture, food security, and climate adaptation. By enabling year-round production of fresh and nutritious crops in urban environments, Wageningen’s research contributes to reducing food miles, water usage, and land footprint, while enhancing local food resilience and biodiversity conservation.
  2. Cornell University:
    • Research Focus: Cornell University conducts pioneering research on Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture, leveraging its expertise in plant science, engineering, and sustainability to address the technical and economic challenges of indoor crop cultivation.
    • Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the development of advanced growing systems, automation technologies, and crop management practices tailored to the unique requirements of vertical farming environments. They also explore the integration of renewable energy sources, waste heat recovery, and nutrient recycling systems to enhance energy efficiency and resource circularity in indoor farming operations.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in specialty crop production, urban food hubs, and alternative agriculture. By promoting the adoption of vertical farming technologies, Cornell’s research supports local food economies, community health, and environmental stewardship, while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector.
  3. University of California, Davis:
    • Research Focus: UC Davis is engaged in innovative research on Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture, leveraging its expertise in horticulture, agronomy, and environmental science to develop sustainable and resilient indoor farming systems.
    • Uniqueness: Their research involves investigating plant responses to light quality, carbon dioxide levels, and nutrient formulations to optimize crop growth and nutritional content in controlled environment settings. They also explore the integration of biological pest management, water-efficient irrigation technologies, and data-driven decision support tools to enhance crop health, yield stability, and economic viability in vertical farming operations.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in precision agriculture, urban greening, and climate mitigation. By advancing the science and practice of controlled environment agriculture, UC Davis’s research contributes to addressing global food security challenges, reducing agricultural inputs, and promoting sustainable land use practices in a changing climate.

commercial_img Commercial Implementation

Vertical farms and CEA facilities are being implemented in various locations around the world, including urban areas, regions with limited arable land, and areas with harsh climates. For example, AeroFarms operates a large-scale vertical farm in Newark, New Jersey, while Plenty has facilities in the United States and the Middle East.



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