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Vertical Farming in India

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Economy
  • Published
    26th Apr, 2022

India’s majority population relies on agriculture for a living.

What is Vertical Farming?

  • Vertical farming is a unique concept of growing food in line with indoor farming, urban agriculture, and controlled agriculture environment. 
  • Instead of horizontally on the ground like traditional farming, vertical farming grows crops in vertical, stacked layers without putting too much impact on land and water resources which are scarce. 
  • It includes soilless farming techniques, among others.
  • Vertical farming is done in constantly monitored and adjusted factor of productions such as temperature, lighting, nutrients, irrigation and air circulation.
  • Vertical Farming is growing plants in vertically stacked layers.
  • In vertical farming soil, hydroponic or aeroponic growing methods can be used. 
  • Where arable land is less, at those places vertical farming is used.
    • Such places are mountainside towns, deserts and cities grow a different type of fruits and vegetables.

Background

 

  • Notably, in 1915, Gilbert Ellis Bailey coined the term vertical farming and he went on to write a namesake book.
  • The modern concept was first proposed in 1999 by Professor Dickson Despommier.
    • His concept centered on the idea that urban areas should grow their own food which can save time and resources required for transportation. 

Different systems under vertical farming

  • Hydroponics: To reduce soil-related cultivation issues, hydroponics involves growing food in water by using its natural, mineral content.
  • Aeroponics: It is said that NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) motivated the initiative of aeroponics to find an efficient way to grow plants in space in the 1990s.
    • Since there is no one growing medium, nutrient solutions are sprayed over plants, which requires very less eater, no soil, and minimal space.
  • Aquaponics: The term combines fish farming and hydroponics. The nutrient-rich waste from fish tanks serves as a fertiliser for the hydroponic plants.

Advantages of Vertical Farming: 

  • Year-round crop production
  • Eliminates agricultural runoff
  • Significantly reduces use of fossil fuels (farm machines and transport of crops)
  • Makes use of abandoned or unused properties
  • No weather related crop failures
  • Offers the possibility of sustainability for urban centers

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