When the first containers of Indoor Vertical.Farm’s pilot system arrived in Bridgetown earlier this year, they brought with them a promising new chapter for controlled environment agriculture in the Caribbean. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Government of Barbados, introduces a fully off-grid, vertical farming installation. Its purpose is threefold: research, training, and education, all aimed at bolstering food security in island nations.
The Barbados installation is a compact yet sophisticated setup, consisting of three container units. Two of these are dedicated to production, while the third serves as a nursery and support unit. The entire system operates under a solar-battery microgrid, with grid and generator backup ensuring uninterrupted operation. Each unit is independent, equipped with its own HVAC, fertigation, and irrigation systems, allowing for precise control and minimised risk.
“At the moment we’re still waiting for the full grid connection, but testing is underway using a temporary generator,” explains Bernard Sleijster, Chief Executive Officer of Indoor Vertical.Farm. “The Ministry of Agriculture is installing a complete solar solution that will provide 100 percent of our power needs, so the system will be fully off-grid.”
Inside the containers, crops grow on aeroponic systems under energy-efficient LED lighting. These lights are optimised for consistent, high-quality growth, and each unit maintains a separate climate zone. “Most of the water used in the system is recycled,” Sleijster notes. “Outside, we have a reverse-osmosis unit, and each container includes additional filtration. Every HVAC and fertigation component sits outside the growing area to maximise internal space and climate control.”
The pilot project is not just about production; it’s also about education and capacity building. “We are training local farmers and schools, bringing vertical farming technology into education,” Sleijster says. “The government wants to see which crops grow best under local conditions, and the quality we can achieve.”
In addition to the container farm, Indoor Vertical.Farm will be delivering four Compact Ultra units. These will be distributed across government departments, R&D centers, and educational institutions, serving as both production systems and living classrooms. This approach empowers students, researchers, and future farmers to explore sustainable agriculture hands-on.
The partnership between Indoor Vertical.Farm and the Barbadian Ministry of Agriculture aligns with broader regional goals to reduce food-import dependence. “About eighty-five percent of food in Barbados is imported,” Sleijster points out. “The goal is to show 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. During a session titled “EU-Caribbean Initiatives for Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems,” Sleijler presented 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 allow visitors to see most of the company’s technology and test new crops and growing methodologies.
The company operates on two complementary business models. The first involves supplying equipment and services from installation to training and operations. The second is developing and operating their 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. “It’s about creating local capability,” Sleijler says. “By training farmers and integrating renewable energy, we can help communities grow fresh produce sustainably, right where it’s consumed.”
With five letters of intent already signed with additional Caribbean partners, Indoor Vertical.Farm plans to expand the program to other islands over the coming year. This initiative not only brings advanced agricultural technology to the region but also fosters local expertise and self-sufficiency, marking a significant step towards enhancing food security in the Caribbean.