Vertical growing systems – the next big farm diversification?
Added on 27 October 2023
Vertical farming involves growing plants such as leafy greens and herbs indoors under fully controlled conditions in stacked layers, without sunlight or soil.
Visitors to the Farmers Weekly stand at New Scientist Live (7-9 October) were able to view a model of the GrowFrame 360 system, which comprises vertical aeroponic panels.
Systems such as this can be developed in almost any space, from an old farm building to a single shipping container, providing opportunity for farmers to cash-in on the novel method of food production.
Diversification and succession
Kate Brunswick, business development director at vertical farming company Innovation Agritech Group (IAG) explains: “This technology has the potential to be an on-farm diversification project; the business model would work well for farmers looking to widen their income streams.
“It could form part of a family succession plan and has the ability to encompass a huge core of careers within the agricultural and agri-tech sector, such as agronomy, plant science, design engineering or irrigation intelligence.”
IAG offers a full building survey and complete turnkey installation process which can see a 130sq m vertical farm established in just 16 weeks using the GrowFrame 360. Return on investment can be expected within three to four years.
Image by user6702303 on Freepik
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