VERTICAL FARMING

By Annan Jacob James

CLASS:12-F
SUBJECT TEACHER:MEAGAN DSOUZA
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
STUDENT PROFILE
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

METHODOLOGY
I have used secondary source of data like
 Internet
 Websites
INDEX

Introduction
Introduction on how to start vertical farming in India:
India is the most populous country. India is developing
every day with something new. Also, industrialization is
growing dramatically, putting many arable lands at greater
risk. Vertical farming is the answer to all these problems in
India. Vertical farming is the cultivation and production of
crops/plants on vertical layers and vertical slopes. Vertical
farming is defined as the process of cultivating crops in
vertical layers. It can be a very promising source for the
future as space can be used to produce large quantities of
vegetables and fruits.
Vertical farming is a modern way of maintaining our
agricultural practices. In India, it is mostly polyhouse based
farming. Polyhouse farming is a safer method that produces
more vegetables and fruits throughout India. Environmental
control in vertical farming to keep the environment under
complete control LED lighting, heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning (HVAC) systems, sensors and smart software,
Internet of Things (IoT), drones, Includes growing crops
vertically using technology such as mobile apps. Crops are
grown indoors in vertical farming, under artificial light and
temperature conditions.

Advantage of vertical farming in

India
 Year-round crop production.
 Eliminates agricultural flow.
 Significantly reduces fossil fuel consumption (transport machinery and
crop transport)
 Uses useless or unused properties.
 No weather-related crop failure.
 Vertical farming is a high yield.

We can plant crops in vertical farms at any time of the year and
therefore produce according to the needs of the market. Because
production is done in a controlled environment with natural
nutrients, we get a standard crop. Production of food throughout the
year without the risk of natural catastrophes such as flood, heavy
rain, uneven rain, hail and snowfall, drought, extremely high
temperatures, cold waves, pests, and diseases, etc. It reduces the
cost of transporting grain loads from rural to urban areas and
minimizes the damage. From village to city, agricultural production
has also declined significantly.

Vertical farming uses 70 to 95% less water than conventional

farming. Vertical farming requires 90% less or no soil and thus no
need for pests and diseases. Pesticide-free or organic food is
prepared because there is no use of pesticides. Due to the shortage
in the food supply chain, consumers get fresh produce with its
original nutritional properties. High yield per unit area i.e., about
80% more crop per unit area in vertical farming. It will green urban
areas and help reduce rising temperatures and air pollution, mainly
in cities.

Growing and year-round crop yields – Vertical farming avoids large-

scale disruptions due to the weather. These are protected from
extreme weather conditions like rain, monsoon, hail, tornadoes,
floods, droughts, and wildfires. Also, indoor vertical farming protects
plants from extreme heat and cold. The internal temperature can be
adjusted at any stage of plant growth, from seed germination to fruit
ripening. Humidity can also be controlled, which ensures the
successful germination of seeds.

Vertical farming prevents pests and diseases – Vertical farming

makes the chances of pest infection very low. As long as the vertical
field is allowed to be strictly controlled, pests can be avoided. Fewer
pests and easier control mean farmers can also avoid the use of
pesticides. This makes it easier to grow pesticides and fertilizer-free
fruits and vegetables with vertical cultivation. Fresh production costs
should be reduced as vertical farming gains momentum. Because
vertical fields use techniques that grow without soil, the chances of
spreading diseases from the soil are also very low. In winter, many
plant diseases survive in the soil and affect next year’s crops.
Though, this problem is eliminated in vertical fields that use
hydroponics, aquaponics, or aeroponics system.
Stable crop yields – One of the major benefits of vertical farming is that it
ensures a fairly stable crop yield. If everything is in perfect order, it is very easy
to estimate how many vegetables and fruits can be harvested in a given period.
It is easier to make long-term agreements with grocery stores as vertical
gardening will stabilize crop income and revenue streams.

Another major advantage of vertical farming is that it is well watered. Because it

is a closed system, more than 95% of water can be saved compared to
traditional outdoor farming methods. As such, it makes vertical gardening a
great way to save water. This will be especially important in the future as water
will become scarce due to global warming, especially in the southern
hemisphere of our planet.

Disadvantages of vertical farming

The initial huge cost to establish a vertical farming system is a major issue. This
will include the cost of building structures with its automation such as
computerized and monitoring systems, remote control systems, programmable
LED lighting systems, and climate control systems, etc.

Excess nutrients used in vertical farming can interfere with the central urban
water system and cause pollution if left untreated.

LED lighting systems emit heat even though a small amount will cause problems
in maintaining the temperature, especially in the summer months, and can
overload the air conditioning system which will again cost energy.
Systems of vertical farming in India
Hydroponics

This is a way to increase the food in the water using the mineral
nutrient solution without soil. The main advantage of this method is
that it reduces soil-related farming problems such as soil-borne
insects, pests, and diseases. In hydroponics, crops grow in a nutrient-
rich water basin and the water is re-circulated, resulting in better
performance and lower water consumption.

Hydroponic farming is highly adaptable to farmers’ needs and

production and requires low cost and scalable expansion. These
include methods such as water culture, ab and flu, the nutrient film
technique, and the wick system. A hydroponics system is a method
for growing plants without soil. Plant roots are immersed in liquid
solutions containing macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus,
sulfur, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, as well as trace
elements, including iron, chlorine, manganese, boron, zinc, copper,
and molybdenum in hydroponics. In addition, inactive (chemically
inert) mediums such as gravel, sand, and sawdust are used as
substitutes for root support. The advantages of hydroponics include
the ability to increase yields per area and reduce water use.
Hydroponic farming uses less water compared to conventional
farming. Because of these advantages, hydroponics is the largest
system used in vertical farming.
Aeroponics

In aeroponics, there is no growing medium and therefore, there are no

containers for growing crops. In aeroponics, mist or nutrient solutions instead of
water. As plants are tied to support and roots are sprayed with a nutrient
solution, it requires very little space, very less water, and no soil. In this, crops
are repeatedly sprayed with nutrient-based mist, using timers (no soil, no
sunlight, and no water). In this way, the nutrients are delivered directly to the
roots of the plants, and this method saves water and also reduces labor. Also,
crops can be easily harvested.

Aquaponics

It is a bio-system that integrates recycled aquaculture (fish farming)

with hydroponic production of vegetables, flowers, and herbs to
create symbiotic relationships between plants and fish. It achieves by
using nutrient-rich waste from fish tanks to “fertilize” hydroponic
production beds. Hydroponic beds work as bio-filters that remove
gases, acids, and chemicals. So, the freshly cleansed water can be
recirculated into the fish tanks. As a result, fresh and clean water can
be re-circulated in fish tanks.

It is the practice to cultivate both fish and plants. Fish provides

beneficial nutrients and bacteria to plants, and as a result, filters the
water for fish. This method creates a highly productive and balanced
ecosystem with enormous benefits. Nutritious wastewater from fish
tanks is filtered through a solid removal unit and then transported to
a biofilter, where toxic ammonia is converted to nutrient-rich nitrate.
By absorbing nutrients, plants then purify wastewater, which is
recycled back into fish tanks. Furthermore, plants use carbon dioxide
produced by fish, and water in fish tanks heats up and helps the
greenhouse maintain its temperature at night to save energy‫۔‬. As
most commercial vertical farming systems focus on a few fast-
growing vegetable crops, aquaponics, including an aquaculture
component, are not currently as widely used as conventional
hydroponics.

Need for vertical farming

Increasing demand for food due to the growing population and
decreasing arable land is the biggest challenge. High-yield farming
methods that support our large populations are characterized by the
use of our limited freshwater, fossil fuels, and limited soil reserves.
Vertical farming is urban farming of crops inside a building in a city
or city center, with the floor designed for specific crops. These
heights will serve as the arable lands of the future and create nations
that have little or no arable land, replacing the countries that are
currently cultivating in the highland lands. Vertical farming provides
an alternative source of sustainable food production units for today’s
urban needs and future generations. Food production is just the
beginning. These vertical fields will recycle gray water and black
water, generate electricity by burning plant waste which will reduce
waste into its partial molecules, and obtain water by
dehumidification. Though, every urban center gets one or several
thus cutting way down on food miles.
How vertical farming works
There are four key areas in understanding how vertical farming works;

1. Physical configuration,

2. Lighting,

3. Growing medium, and

4. Sustainability characteristics.

Vertical farms consist of one of several models, ranging

from wooden shelves on the garden patio to warehouses
and greenhouses that are capable of producing enough
food for entire communities, in buildings such as
skyscrapers.
 Firstly, the main goal of vertical farming is to produce more
food per square meter compared to other farming systems. To
this end, crops are grown in vertical layers in the tower’s life
structure.
 Secondly, the combination of natural and artificial light is used
to maintain the perfect level of light in the room for growing
crops. Technologies such as rotating beds are used to improve
light efficiency.
 Thirdly, instead of soil, aeroponic, aquaponics, or hydroponic
growing sources are used. Peat moss or coconut husk and non-
soil medium are common in vertical farming.
  Finally, this uses different sustainability features to meet the
energy cost of farming. Vertical farming uses 95% less water.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT

VERTICAL FARMING IN INDIA
Is vertical farming effective?

Vertical farming is an efficient and sustainable technology. It has many

advantages over traditional farming. The most important thing is that farming is
under your control. Control means controlling production, maintaining quality,
preventing diseases.

Is vertical farming beneficial?

Yes, it is a profitable and beneficial business.

Can you do vertical farming at home?

Vertical farming at home takes up very little space. A closet, kitchen corner, or an
incomplete basement can be the perfect place to start a vertical farm. You will
want the ability to control the temperature as well as provide artificial light,
water, and fertilizer.

Is Vertical farming healthy?

Vertical farming is one of the fastest-growing methods and it has many benefits.
The important health benefits for fish farming are fresh food, increased urban
availability, reduced pollution, and no chemical use.

What light is used in vertical farming?

Initially, vertical fields used fluorescent lights to help crop growth. However, with
the development of LED light technology, fluorescent lights are slowly replacing
new, energy-efficient bulbs. The best practice is to use pink lights, a combination
of red and blue LED lights.

CASE STUDY
Human population is projected to reach 9.7 billion in 2050 and strike 11.2 billion by
2100. Residence shift from countryside to cities will occur and the human population
resides in the cities is envisaged to rise from 55% to 68%. Vertical farming was proposed
to address food insecurity caused by overcrowded population and farmland shortages.
The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of vertical farming in the Asia Pacific is
forecasted to grow at 22.1% with a market size reaching USD 2,101.0 million by 2024.
Malaysian government encourages the implementation of vertical farming as the
production of major agricultural commodities has contracted by 3.4% from 2015 to
2017. However, high energy consumption is one of the shortcomings of a vertical farm
as the estimated annual energy consumption for each square meter of growing area is
3500 kW h. Thus, this paper proposes an optimized building geometry modeling
integrated with energy yield estimation tool to evaluate the potential of integrating
green energy into urban agriculture. This research examines the load demand in the
vertical farming systems and develops solar/hybrid/storage for vertical farming system
with energy yield, performance ratio, economics and environmental assessments.
Preliminary resources assessment by analyzing the solar radiation of the sites was
carried out at stage 1. At stage 2, load consumption was calculated, and specifications of
the system were justified. Stage 3 included the development of solar PV system for the
vertical farms, the economic evaluation in the context of net present cost (NPC),
levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and investigation of the environmental impact. Grid-
connected and standalone solar PV systems were developed for comparative studies.
The estimated daily energy consumption for vertical farms in Selangor and Kuching was
430.116 kW h and 1002.024 kW h. Energy generated by grid-connected solar PV systems
supported 11.6% and 8.35% of the load consumption in Selangor and Sarawak. The
performance ratios of grid-connected solar PV systems in both selected sites were
82.22% and 82.56%. The finding proved that proposed work has significantly reduced
the dependency of the utility grid. Additionally, the LCOE with solar PV integration
vertical farming system appeared to be lower than the LCOE of the grid and lower CO 2
emission. This paper serves as a reference guide to the vertical farming stakeholders,
national policy-decision makers and non-profit organizations who planned for similar
initiatives especially those within the tropical climate regions.

Crops suitable for vertical farming

With the high demand in the international market, we have chosen to grow
turmeric through vertical cultivation. That produces 5% curcumin in turmeric in
Polyhouse, which is eligible for export. Another characteristic of turmeric is its
shelf life. Nothing will happen to this crop for 3 years, once it dries and we have
the technology, through which we can preserve it for 6 years.

India produces 82% turmeric (less than 3% curcumin) in the world. Domestically,
it is mainly used in powder form. So in the future, we can start production of 5%
Curcumin Turmeric Powder which will be a big business, which has not started
yet. Vertical systems are used for growing leafy vegetables such as Basil,
Coriander, Lettuce, Thyme, Spinach, and Gerbera, etc.

Lettuce – Lettuce and some other green leafy vegetables are grown mainly by
indoor farmers. Lettuce is easy to grow and available in many varieties, it is easy
to grow, and in year-round demand.

Kale – Kale is richer in iron. Also, it is delicious and available in many varieties.
Kale vegetables can be a great choice for vertical farmers.

Chard and collard greens – These leafy greens are not very popular but can
grow quite large under suitable conditions, and can be grown partially several
times, each time growing back with a larger yield.

Basil – Basil is also an ideal crop in vertical farming. Basil is available for a few
months as it is sensitive to cold temperatures, but in vertical farming climate-
controlled conditions, it responds very well and is rich in oils and flavors.
Chives and mint – These are the best crops to start for a new vertical farmer.
They are easy to cut due to their dense, grass-like growing structure. And their
distinctive tastes also make them popular with customers.

Limitations of vertical farming

No Established Economics – The financial feasibility of this new method of
farming is uncertain. The financial situation is changing, however, as the industry
matures and technology improves.

Difficulties with Pollination – It takes place in a controlled environment. Thus, the

process of pollen needs to be done manually, which will be labor-intensive and
expensive.

Labor costs – The higher the energy costs in vertical farming, the higher the
labor costs due to the centers where wages are higher, as well as the need for
more skilled labor. However, automation in vertical fields may require fewer
workers. Manual pollination can be one of the most laborious tasks in vertical
fields.

Too Much Dependency on Technology – The development of better technologies

can always increase efficiency and reduce costs. But whole vertical farming relies
heavily on different technologies for light, temperature retention, and humidity.
Losing power for just one day can be very costly for a vertical farm. Many people
think that the technologies used today are not ready for mass adoption.
Feasibility of vertical farming in India
India is the largest producer of vegetables, fruits, and many other agricultural
products. Vertical farming has been introduced in India. Small-scale adaptation
of vertical farming has been observed in Nadia, West Bengal, and Punjab, Bidhan
Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya has found Nadia has found initial success in
growing brinjal and tomato. Punjab has also been successful in producing potato
tubers through vertical farming. More and more startups in vertical farming are
coming to India.

Light requirement for vertical

farming
Light is the most important point in vertical farming. When it comes
to indoor farming, there are some options to mimic natural light.
Vertical farming requires powerful light to grow crops. Fluorescent
lights are most commonly used to grow herbs and vegetables
indoors. There are two types, including fluorescent tubes and
compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).

They can easily fit in tight spaces and provide a powerful light and
save more energy than incandescent bulbs. HPS grow lights or high-
pressure sodium lights are used by many commercial farmers. They
dissipate a significant amount of heat, so when it comes to the
distance between crops and light, it is important to ensure proper
measures. LED grow lights are the most energy-efficient of the three
basic types. They also do not produce heat that can damage crops.

Growing medium for vertical farming

Vertical farming systems can use a variety of growing means to harvest their crops.
Hydroponics uses a soil-free system to immerse plants in a nutrient-rich solution.
The solution must be circulated and monitored to ensure proper chemical
composition.

Aeroponics uses soil and very little water to grow plants. Aeroponics in vertical
farming was developed by the National Aeronautical and Space Administration
(NASA). The most effective way to grow is to use water mist on plants and roots.
They are said to consume the most nutrients and vitamins. The best crops used in
aeroponics are Lettuce, herbs, and strawberries.

Aquaponics combines fish and plants in a single closed ecosystem. In this system,
the fish grow in indoor ponds and the plants use the nutrient-rich waste as food for
the fish they produce. This creates a thriving system for fish and plants to grow
together. Many kinds of fruits and vegetables can be grown effectively from
goldfish, tilapia, carp, sunfish, bass, and many more. All growing sources depend on
the type of crop and the amount of produce.

Is vertical farming expensive?

Making vertical farming under polyhouse is a one-time cost
and it is a modern agricultural industry that gives us annual
production as well as production. So if calculate the annual
profit for 24 years, vertical farming is very cheap. It’s a one-
time investment in infrastructure. The crop we grow is
turmeric and according to the yield we get from the
polyhouse, we get back our invested money within 1.5 years
which we have spent on asset building.
The future of vertical farming
With a growing population and urban population growth, vertical
farming is expected to flourish in the coming years. In addition to the
lack of sustainable land, vertical farming that can produce year-
round and keep it in its local markets will move the market in favor
of such a system. It will also provide many green options for our
population as less deforestation is required and waste is much more
favorable.

Vertical fields are free from the pressures caused by extreme

conditions and variations in our weather, are isolated from pests,
and allow crops to grow over a wide range of latitudes. These
systems use much less water than conventional agriculture and can
dramatically increase crop yields compared to hydroponics. It can
protect crops from bad weather conditions or disasters. The same
year-round weather conditions provide ideal conditions for the best
crops. Vertical farming produces food where needed.

CONCLUSION

Conclusion. Vertical farming is surely a solution to

critical issues in Indian farming like an absence of
providing or oversupply of farm produce, too much use
of pesticides, too much use of fertilizers, weaken soils
and even the unemployment. So, vertical farming is the
solution for reducing arable land.

BIBLOGRAPHY
https://www.agrifarming.in/vertical-farming-in-india-how-to-start-crops

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S175500842100017X