ADVANTAGES
1. Maximum Crop Yield
This means that vertical farming can allow crops to be grown at all times throughout the year, as it is not weather dependent. It can also be grown throughout the entire day and night as it uses L.E.D. lights since photosynthesis can occur at all times. Vertical farming also reduces transportation costs as it will be cheaper for transportation since you can build vertical farms in cities, so you don’t need to import the crops from other regions. It is eco-friendly as decreased need for transportation means less pollution.
2. Uses Very Minimal Water
Since the water is used in a controlled manner, water losses are very minimal. Vertical farming only uses 10% of the amount of water that traditional farming methods use. The water from transpiration is also re-used so most of it doesn’t get wasted. Also, currently 70% of all accessible potable water is used for agriculture this can be decreased using vertical farming.
3. Area Required to Grow Crops/Plants
Land is much less than when using traditional farming methods since vertical farms can be expanded upwards. Vertical farming also grows food organically since no pesticides will be required as there are no pests to damage the crops. So, it is healthier, safer and eco-friendly. Finally, the price is another advantage of vertical farming. In the start vertical farming may be very expensive ($100 million for a 60-hectare vertical farm) but after the first few years it will become a cheaper form of farming.
4. Preserve The Environment
Rather than having to venture into the rainforest and harm the last few remaining untouched parts of the earth, we can help preserve the environment and grow our food in cities.
More Affordable Produce
Although start-up costs are high, it is a cost-effective model that will save money down the line. In demand fruits and veggies can be grown all year round despite changes in weather. Instead of worrying about whether or not your food will make you sick, this all organic approach promises fresh and toxin-free produce
DISADVANTAGES
1. Problems are created related to economic viability due to costs
There will be fewer jobs as people do not need to carry crops, resulting in many people jobless and farmers losing jobs. Another drawback is the lack of pollinators in the crops, which may need to be done manually. Because the pollination has to be done by hand, the wages paid are also very high. Building vertical farms in expensive cities will increase total investment and operating costs. Moreover, approving the construction of vertical farms may increase the cost of occupation due to additional need.
2. Possible environmental and energy impacts occur
Concerns about pollution and sustainable use arise because home grown crops depend on artificial light. Although the use of light emitting diode or LED lighting in photo-voltaic solar panels reduces the cost of electricity consumption, it still has its effects. So that the usage of LED grow lights has increased. There are so many vertical gardening farms using 1000watt LED grow lights. In addition to these artificial lighting, a vertical farm has complex machinery and automated systems. Therefore, vertical farming requires more energy input compared to field farming. Since vertical farming depends on the use of fossil fuels, this practice has even more significant effects. There is a need to develop renewable and alternative energy technologies to ensure the environmental sustainability and energy efficiency of vertical farming.
3. There is potential for disruption to the village and its communities
Another challenge and disadvantage are that vertical farming involves the potential to destabilize communities that rely on agriculture. Vertical farms can make traditional agricultural work obsolete. Families who live below the poverty line and the poverty line that relies on agriculture, in particular, will definitely suffer. As a result, urban agriculture will compete with rural agriculture. To effectively transition to vertical farming, there is a need to formulate and implement strategies or programs aimed at educating government officials, creating relevant laws or policies, and introducing new trends in agriculture.
4. The need for advanced technologies and complex processes
Building and operating a vertical farm requires the use of various technologies that are aligned at a high start-up cost and design complex processes. It is more expensive to start and maintain vertical farming than traditional field farming. IT-related technology can help track crops, crop maintenance, recording outputs and determining demand. Nonetheless, creating and operating a vertical farm for someone with no relevant familiarity, connection and capital can be challenging.
5. The artificial environment can fail at any point
Finally relying on technology can be a major disadvantage for vertical farming. If a vertical farm loses energy per day, it will be a huge loss in production. This means that vertical farming depends on an artificial atmosphere that maintains a temperature of 40° C and constant humidity, and crops grown by these vertical farms may die from energy shortages.