Current status and future challenges in implementing and upscaling vertical farming systems.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Food Systems Engineering

Background:

• Vertical farming systems (VFS) present a climate-resilient method for food production, minimizing pesticide and fertilizer use, and reducing land and water footprints compared to conventional agriculture.
• VFS can fulfill consumer demand for fresh, nutritious produce, enhancing food system resilience, especially in urban environments.
• Current VFS primarily cultivate a narrow range of crops, necessitating advancements for broader agricultural integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the state-of-the-art in vertical farming systems (VFS).
• To identify key challenges and future research directions for VFS.
• To emphasize the need for collaborative efforts between research, industry, and policy for VFS upscaling.

Main Methods:

• Review of current vertical farming technologies and practices.
• Analysis of challenges in plant growth, product quality, automation, and system control.
• Exploration of environmental sustainability and socio-economic factors.

Main Results:

• VFS demonstrate potential for reduced environmental impact and enhanced food security.
• Profitability, energy efficiency, public policy, and consumer acceptance are identified as critical barriers.
• Technological advancements in automation and system control are progressing.

Conclusions:

• Successful integration of VFS into mainstream agriculture requires addressing economic and policy hurdles.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for overcoming challenges and scaling up VFS.
• VFS represent a promising component of future sustainable and resilient food systems.