In the heart of Germany, researchers at the Technical University of Munich are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in agriculture. Sebastian Eichelsbacher, a scientist at the HEF World Agricultural Systems Center, has been delving into the world of vertical farming, seeking to understand its true potential and the limits of its productivity. His findings, published in a recent study, offer a glimpse into a future where food is grown not in fields, but in stacked layers, under artificial lights, and with precise control over every growing factor.
Vertical farming, with its promise of year-round crop production and reduced water usage, has long been touted as a solution to the world’s food security challenges. But just how productive can these systems be? That’s the question Eichelsbacher set out to answer. He and his team analyzed 171 publications, comprising 1403 data points across 10 crop categories, all from controlled-environment experiments. The results were striking.
“Potato produced the most edible dry mass,” Eichelsbacher explains, “33 grams per square meter per day. That’s 28 times more per layer than open-field cultivation.” But it’s not just potatoes. High planting density crops, like leafy greens and herbs, also showed impressive productivity. The study revealed major productivity variation among and within crop species, with crops that have longer life cycles being less productive considering time and space.
So, what does this mean for the future of farming? For one, it suggests that vertical farming could play a significant role in future food supply. But it also highlights the need for more systematic, standardized, and scalable controlled-environment experiments. As Eichelsbacher puts it, “The limits of productivity remain uncertain. We need to understand these limits to fully harness the potential of vertical farming.”
For the energy sector, the implications are profound. Vertical farms, with their need for artificial lighting and climate control, are energy-intensive. But as Eichelsbacher’s research shows, they’re also incredibly productive. The challenge, then, is to find ways to power these farms sustainably. Solar energy, for instance, could be a game-changer, allowing vertical farms to operate off-grid and reducing their carbon footprint.
Moreover, the precision of vertical farming could lead to significant savings in water and nutrient use. This is not just good for the environment; it’s also good for business. Farmers could see reduced input costs, while consumers could benefit from more affordable, locally-grown produce.
The study, published in Food and Energy Security, which translates to Food and Energy Supply Security in English, is a call to action. It’s a reminder that while vertical farming holds immense promise, there’s still much we don’t know. But with more research, and a willingness to innovate, the future of farming could be vertical, sustainable, and incredibly productive.