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Farming gets vertical

Vertical farming was demonstrated at the 2019 International Consumer Electronics Show Asia in Shanghai in June.
Vertical farming was demonstrated at the 2019 International Consumer Electronics Show Asia in Shanghai in June.

Advancements in technology have made possible the commercial-scale indoor farming of leafy greens in hydroponic containers stacked a few stories high. Plants are placed under red and blue LED lights to save on energy costs because plants don’t need the full spectrum of white light for photosynthesis. Growing conditions are controlled digitally, and the method uses 99% less water, no pesticides, and a fraction of the land required for traditional farming.

Many consider vertical farming a viable solution to feeding the world’s rising population through its efficient use of water and land.