So here we are, its 5am and the capital of the UAE is just waking up. Jetlag got us up early and we began planning who we intend to visit with at the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) 2014. Vertical farming has always been a keen interest of our but we have never seen it on quite this scale. These are just some of the companies and inventors showing off their solutions to food security through vertical growing technology:
Agrilution One - www.agrilution.com
‘Agrilution One’ is a fully automated, adaptable small-scale vertical farming solution that includes two interconnected products and services – the Social Plant Recipe Network (a collaborative online platform to improve research possibilities) plus Upgrade Packages and Seed Package; and the potential to share research results and the technology to operate the system remotely via the Internet.
Autonomous Growth Chamber for Crops
Now website and not much info on this one yet, but Prof. Fidel Trejo-Orozco, CEO & Founder, SITEK seems keen to grow food in space. We will see how he intends to do that.
Biolumic - www.biolumic.com
Innovative new UV lighting technology that now provides the ability to control plant size, growth, stress tolerance as well as a range of other consumer quality attributes in a way that has never been commercially achievable before.
Elevated Gardens - www.elevatedgardens.com.au
Elevated Gardens is an innovative new product range that is ideal for urban farming. You can grow vegetables in virtually any outdoor location including rooftops, balconies and backyards. The system has a solar powered automated watering system and is highly water efficient, with water recycled from the base of the growing tank. The Cocopeat growing medium is 100% organic and a by-product of the coconut industry. By design, the system is easy to use with no gardening expertise required. Set up is straightforward and no waterproofing is required as the tank is one moulded piece. Elevated Gardens is a trading name of Myriad International Pty Ltd. We also provide consultancy services, specialising in hydroponic production in hot climates.
F3 (fossil free farming) - www.bicton.ac.uk
A systems approach to profitable and highly productive Fossil Free Farming. The integration of exisiting technologies to provide the first model fossil free (beyound carbon) working farm enterprise based at the centre of a further and higher education college. Gaining eveidence for profitable, sustsinable and relevant land use for the next generation who need to meet and deliver food in a time of global change.
Famgro Farms - www.facebook.com/FamgroFarms
California-based Famgro Farms has developed the world’s most efficient indoor farming platform, Farm 2.0. Created by a world-class team of engineers led by founder of Aptera Motors, creator of the typ-1 ultra efficient electric vehicle—Farm 2.0 can be built in any landscape or economy, regardless of the environmental challenges faced by local populations.
Film Farming - www.agricel.co
Film farming is a technology in which plants are cultivated on a hydromembrane composed of water-soluble polymer and hydrogel. It can reduce water consumption by up to 90%, fertiliser use by up to 80%, and help produce nutritious crops all year round.
Food Growth Chamber for the NSF Amundson-Scott New South Pole Station
After operating a closed loop Food Growth Chamber at the NSF Amundson-Scott New South Pole Station for nine years, scientists from the University of Arizona are now sharing their experiences. This semi-automated plant growing facility utilises high intensity discharge lighting, atmospheric CO2 enrichment, and a recirculating hydroponic nutrient delivery system produces salad and fruiting crops for the station personnel.
Plant factory (Japan)
A state of the art pilot-scale plant-factory, which produces crops under a controlled and optimized environment, was constructed at Tamagawa University in Tokyo, Japan. A commercial-scale facility has also been constructed at the University.
The Farmery - www.thefarmery.com
The Farmery is an urban market, cafe and farm designed to produce and sell locally made food. It combines a retail grocery and indoor agricultural systems that raise the value of food by offering the customer an educational and stimulating food shopping experience. At the Farmery, the consumer can witness and participate in the growth and harvest of crops and fish.
The Plant, Chicago - www.plantchicago.com
An old meatpacking factory that now houses small food craft businesses brewing beer and kombucha, The Plant, does all this without taking a Watt of electricity off the local grid by drawing energy from waste.
XA Series Warehouse Farming - www.verticalfarms.com.au
This is an automated growing system that is scalable to meet demand with low labor, power and water inputs, and high crop yields.
From automation to water savings and personal food production, these innovations are sure take vertical farming to new heights. We look forward to meeting with them and sharing what they think makes them “the next big thing in food”.
See something that you have particular interest in? Tweet us @AgritectureNYC and use the hashtag #GFIA2014 and we will get you what you want to know!
Click here for the full list of innovations at the GFIA 2014