With developing India, industries also increase and from that arable land is reducing. This is very dangerous for farming. Because in ancient time land is the compulsory source for farming, without land one can’t do farming. But nowadays this becomes just a myth because of “Vertical Farming”.
Vertical farming is a modern way of agriculture. With time changes, new technology also gets introduced for ease, better productivity and quality products. Without any doubt these technologies boost agriculture. Following we are showing about Vertical Farming in India, I hope after reading this you get all the information about vertical farming in India.
What is Vertical Farming?
Vertical farming is a unique concept of growing food in line with Indoor farming, urban agriculture, and controlled agriculture environment. Vertical farming is done in constantly monitored and adjusted factor of productions such as temperature, lighting, nutrients, irrigation and air circulation.
Vertical Farming is growing plants in vertically stacked layers. In vertical farming soil, hydroponic or aeroponic growing methods can be used. Where arable land is less, at those places vertical farming is used. Such places are mountainside towns, deserts and cities grow a different type of fruits and vegetables.
Most of the commercial vertical farms are produced inside buildings, some are in greenhouses, and shading of crops produces unique crops.
Is Vertical Farming Long Lasting?
In most of the states in India, traditional farming is used. But in traditional farming, there are many uncertainties like heavy rainfall, heavy winds and all. These factors damage all the efforts of the farmers which they invest in growing crops. So, all these problems have only one solution i.e. Vertical Farming.
In vertical farming, uses of water and land are minimized and wastage also gets minimized. Additionally, in vertical farming crops are secured from the pests and any other diseases because crops are grown in a controlled environment. So, these qualities of vertical farming are proved that vertical farming is long-lasting.
Is India Needed a Change in Agriculture?
India is a country with a very huge population and India is developing every day. In India industrialization also increases rapidly from which arable land is slightly reducing. Indian population is approx. 1.34 billion and continuously increasing. Due to urbanization, we are losing our land that could be used in farming. Feeding such a huge population is the toughest task.
The answer to this question is “YES”. If it doesn’t happen then Indian agriculture will remain backward. So, Indian agriculture needs a change with developing India.
Methods Used in Vertical Farming
There are three methods used in vertical farming in India which are Hydroponics, Aeroponics, Aquaponics. Following we are describing these three terms. So, let’s have a look.
- Hydroponics– In hydroponics foods are growing through water nutrients without soil. By this method, food is secure from soil-related problems such as pests, insects and diseases.
- Aeroponics– In Aeroponics method water is used very less. Foods are grown through moist and nutrients. As you know, in vertical farming plats are tie-up with support so on their roots water nutrients are sprayed.
- Aquaponics– Aquaponics is a method of combining plants and fishes in the same ecosystem. In this method, fish is grown inside the indoor ponds by providing them with nutrient-rich waste.
Benefits of Vertical Farming
- The first benefit of vertical farming is every area is used properly in producing foods.
- As you know, in traditional farming food is grown seasonably. And in vertical farming, food is produced throughout the year.
- Vertical farming cuts the cost of transportation.
- In comparison to traditional farming, 70 to 95% minimum water is used.
- In vertical farming, there is no issue of pests and any other diseases because in this method 90% or no soil is used.
- Organic food is produced in vertical farming as it is free from pesticides and air pollution.
Drawbacks of Vertical Farming
- Establishment cost is very high in vertical farming.
- In making artificial light expenses are more as compared to traditional farming because in traditional farming plants are grown by natural lights.
- Trained staff is needed in vertical farming.
- Properly dispose of waste is required in vertical farming.
- In vertical farming, LED light produces a huge amount of heat so it becomes a problem in maintaining the temperature during summer.
Crops Suitable for Vertical Farming in India
As a farmer, you have to decide which crop should be produced. So, you have to choose the crop after study of market demand and production cost.
Some Small Size Vertical Crops are;
- Lettuce
- Broccoli
- Amaranthus
- Tuber crops, etc.
Some Medium Size Vertical Crops are;
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Tomato
- Brinjal, etc.
Some Big Size Vertical Crops are;
- Maize
- Sorghum, etc.
Economics of Vertical Farming in India
Economic factor also plays a big role in your crop selection if your crop is biological workable and it is not suitable for economics then you should have to drop the idea of producing that crop because of;
- Lack of demand for that crop in the market.
- Improper technique
- High production cost
So, budget, demand and climate requirements are the factors which should be considered in vertical farming.
Future of Vertical Farming
SureGrow helped in the establishment of vertical farming all over India except Punjab and Kashmir. SureGrow gives training and they also teach them to install V-farms at minimum investment. Over the next five years, worldwide, vegetable farming techniques will change. Professor Nagendhiran concluded that ‘We need to be restrained’.
When multistory buildings were invented during Greek and Roman cities to provide cheap housing, they could not realize that they were laying the foundations of future technology for vertical farms. Vertical farms may become the norm for the majority of vegetable production by just 2050.
Conclusion
Vertical farming is surely a solution to critical issues in Indian farming like an absence of providing or oversupply of farm produce, too much use of pesticides, too much use of fertilizers, weaken soils and even the unemployment. So, vertical farming is the solution for reducing arable land.
See Also: Benefits of Contract Farming
