This week on Over The Farm Gate we’re discussing vertical farms and finding out if they are really better for the planet?
Vertical farming - does all the hype stack up? Can these systems really save input costs? Do they offer viable diversification opportunities? Or will they always be the preserve of big-time farmers and investors? And of course, are they really better for the planet, and what contribution can they make to our food system?
To find out, Jez Fredenburgh talks to Sarah Hughes, a sheep and beef farmer in north Wales, who completed a Nuffield Scholarship on vertical farms in 2018, visiting some of the most advanced operations around the globe. Sarah set out to see if vertical farming offered a diversification opportunity for the ordinary farm business, she lets us in on her findings.
Jez then speaks to David Farquhar, CEO of Intelligent Growth Solutions, a multi-award-winning Scottish company which designs, supplies, and supports vertical farms for growers all around the world. Jez asks him - what really does it cost to set up a vertical farm, how do you operate them, and what are they like?
Links:
Read more about the use of vertical farming technology, but how can it complement conventional farming systems?
https://www.fginsight.com/news/vertical-farming-taking-weather-out-of-the-equation-117612
Read more about how, #FarmingCAN be a leader in tackling climate change:
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