Many people consider vertical farming as "future farming" since it employs environmentally controlled agricultural technology to maximize the utilization of indoor farming practices. Moreover, it is predicted that a majority of the world's population will move to cities by 2050. In such a condition, where the population is always growing, there will be a larger need for natural and organic local food. Below we have given a list of 7 vertical farming companies that are laying the foundation for an agricultural revolution.
Why Do We Need Vertical Farming?
An innovative agricultural technique called vertical farming has the potential to address the impending food crisis. The crops are cultivated vertically in stacked layers of produce as opposed to horizontally. It increases water efficiency while also reducing or eliminating the need for soil for crops. Due to its regulated environment, which includes temperature, light, humidity, and artificial intelligence, vertical farming can ensure consistent output and improve crop yield.
Buildings, communities, and even shipping containers may easily be equipped with this environmentally friendly technology. Additionally, it may grow food closer to where it will be consumed, saving money and reducing emissions on transportation.
However, the technology of vertical farming is still somewhat new. Due to the extremely high maintenance expenses associated with automation and watering systems, most farms are only able to grow leafy greens, salad leaves, and herbs. These vertical farming companies are setting the standard and promoting the industry's global expansion.
Best Vertical Farming Companies in the world
1. Farm66 (Hong Kong)
Farm66, one of Hong Kong's largest modern indoor aquaponics farms, is ranked sixth on our list of vertical farming companies. In 2016, it was given the Technological Achievement Certificate of Merit (HKAI). The business has been developing and putting the idea of urban farming into practice since it was founded in 2013. Farm66 cultivates items including leafy greens, herbs (basil, dill), and fruits inside its indoor aquaponics farming ecosystem, free from weather effects, bird problems, pests, and bacterial problems, as well as significant space needs. Many local retailers, like CitySuper Hong Kong, SOGO, and Pacific Coffee, go on to sell these. Hong Kong's food supply is almost entirely dependent on imports due to its restricted space and relatively dense population.
2. AeroFarms (United Arab Emirates)
Since 2004, AeroFarms has used the latest events in indoor vertical farming, artificial intelligence, and plant biology to increase the production and distribution of fresh produce locally and internationally. The world's largest vertical farm for research and development, owned by AeroFarms, a leader in the sector, will be built in Abu Dhabi and finished in the first quarter of 2022. The award was given at the first-ever Global SDG Awards, which recognize private-sector leadership in advancing the UN 2030 Agenda. For the purpose of selling its leafy greens, which range from baby bok choy and arugula to spinach and micro broccoli, the business collaborated with US retail giants Whole Foods and Walmart, among others.
3. CubicFarms (Canada)
The firm was founded in 2008 when farmers Jack Benne and his son Leo Benne decided to create indoor growing technology to grow fresh fruit with the least amount of environmental damage. One such innovation is the HydroGreen Grow System, which can produce up to 25 million pounds (11.3 million kilograms) of fresh livestock feed annually while utilizing just one-tenth of the water required for conventional livestock feed grown on traditional fields. They were able to preserve enough fresh water in this way to provide one glass to every person on the earth each year, or more than 500 million gallons (1.8 billion liters). In addition, the Canadian company uses between 54 and 62 percent less energy than normal vertical farms since it moves the plants to follow the light rather than providing separate lighting for each one.
4. Spread (Japan)
Spread is one of the top vertical farming businesses in Asia. Spread is dedicated to facilitating the mutually beneficial coexistence between conventional agriculture and local communities while reducing food waste and improving productivity. Spread was founded in 2006 with the vision of "creating a sustainable society where future generations can attain peace of mind." The business is well-known for its delicious strawberries and soft and crispy lettuce, both of which are available in more than 4,500 supermarkets throughout Japan. Regardless the weather conditions, the company's cutting-edge vertical farming method provides high-quality yields all year round. Additionally, just 1% of the water needed to grow food using conventional farming methods is used with this technology, and 30% less food is lost during production.
4. InFarm (Germany)
One of the biggest vertical farming businesses in Europe, InFarm was established in Berlin in 2013 by Osnat Michaeli, the brothers Erez and Guy Galonska, and Osnat Michaeli. The company does cloud farming, a cutting-edge method that involves a network of large-scale, self-teaching growing facilities that continuously enhance plant output, taste, and nutritional value while using fewer natural resources. InFarm has worked with more than 30 major food retailers, including Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Switzerland. InFarm has over 1,200 farms in shops and distribution centers.
6. iFarm (Finland)
The award-winning iFarm, established in 2017 in Helsinki, Finland, comes in last on our list of vertical farming companies. The iFarm technology allows for the construction of vertical farms that use 90 percent less water, 75 percent less fertilizer, and no pesticides. They also significantly reduce labor expenses and the "human factor" by maximizing technology. All of this makes it possible to cultivate crops all year round in an efficient and sustainable manner.
7. Future Farms (US)
Future Farms, a vertical farming company established in 2021 and located in Los Angeles, was formed by Yaheya Heikal and Erin James. They are on a mission to use urban vertical farms to discover answers to some of the world ’s most challenging issues. These farms will help reduce global emissions while providing people across the world (mostly in urban centers) with fresher, more nutritious meals that are produced sustainably. Yaheya and Erin saw and tasted the difference in food that had less time from farm to table after going overseas and personally experiencing the difference in the quality of produced vegetables outside of the US. The company that combines farming and technology for the future is now aiming to produce food that is more affordable and nutritious without harming the environment.
