When the first containers of Indoor Vertical.Farm’s pilot system arrived in Bridgetown earlier this year, it marked the beginning of a new phase for controlled environment agriculture in the Caribbean. The project, in partnership with the Government of Barbados, introduces a fully off-grid, vertical farming installation designed for research, training, and education. This initiative aims to strengthen food security in island nations by integrating local production, training, and renewable energy.
The Barbados installation consists of three container units, two dedicated to production and one for nursery and support. These units operate under a solar-battery microgrid with grid and generator backup, ensuring resilience and sustainability. Each unit is independent, equipped with its own HVAC, fertigation, and irrigation systems. Currently, the farm is running initial tests using a temporary generator while awaiting the full grid connection. The Ministry of Agriculture is installing a complete solar solution that will provide 100 percent of the farm’s power needs, making the system fully off-grid.
Training and testing are at the heart of this pilot project. Local farmers and schools are being trained in vertical farming technology, bringing this innovative approach into education. The government is particularly interested in determining which crops thrive under local conditions and the quality that can be achieved. In addition to the container farm, four Compact Ultra units will be distributed across government departments, R&D centers, and educational institutions. These units will serve as both production systems and living classrooms, empowering students, researchers, and future farmers to explore sustainable agriculture hands-on.
Inside the containers, crops grow on aeroponic systems under energy-efficient LED lighting with optimized spectra for consistent, high-quality growth. Each unit maintains a separate climate zone to limit risk and improve precision. The system recycles most of the water used, with a reverse-osmosis unit outside and additional filtration within each container. Every HVAC and fertigation component is placed outside the growing area to maximize internal space and climate control. The pilot includes an air-shower entry, stainless-steel work surfaces, and a seedling area designed to run in parallel with the grow rooms, ensuring a continuous cycle of production.
Indoor Vertical.Farm’s partnership with the Barbadian Ministry of Agriculture aligns with regional goals to reduce food-import dependence. Currently, about eighty-five percent of food in Barbados is imported. The goal is to demonstrate what can be produced locally, improve quality, and reduce transport costs and waste. Indoor Vertical.Farm recently participated in the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis, presenting how European companies can support local governments in developing climate-resilient food systems across island nations.
Beyond the Caribbean, Indoor Vertical.Farm is preparing to open an experience and R&D center in Hasselt, Belgium. This center will showcase most of the company’s technology and serve as a hub for testing new crops and growing methodologies. The company operates on two complementary business models: supplying equipment and services from installation to training and operations, and developing and operating its own farms, where they take responsibility for production and distribution. This dual approach balances short-term revenue from equipment sales with long-term value from ongoing operations.
The Barbados pilot serves as a model for off-grid resilience, demonstrating how modular, solar-powered vertical farming can adapt to small-island environments. By training farmers and integrating renewable energy, the project helps communities grow fresh produce sustainably, right where it’s consumed. Indoor Vertical.Farm has already signed five letters of intent with additional Caribbean partners and plans to expand the program to other islands over the coming year. This initiative highlights the potential of vertical farming to enhance food security and sustainability in the Caribbean and beyond.