Vertical farming is the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often incorporating controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) technology. This method optimizes plant growth using soilless farming techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, or aeroponics. It allows for year-round crop production independent of weather, significantly reduces water usage, and can be implemented in urban areas to reduce food transportation costs.
While the concept of vertical growing dates back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the modern concept of high-tech vertical farming was popularized by Dickson Despommier in 1999 at Columbia University. He proposed growing food in skyscrapers to feed urban populations. The first commercial vertical farms appeared in the late 2000s and early 2010s in Japan, Singapore, and the US.
Vertical farming is a growing sector within agritech, driven by the need for sustainable food systems and urban resilience. Companies like AeroFarms and Plenty are scaling operations. While currently limited mostly to leafy greens and herbs due to high energy costs for lighting, advancements in LED efficiency and automation are expanding its potential.