"World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"
Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:25 pmhttp://inhabitat.com/the-worlds-first-commercial-vertical-farm-opens-in-singapore/
(in Singapore, which is on the cutting edge).
I couldn't find out if they're being subsidized by the government or not, but this is pretty awesome. I imagine the major fruit and veggie exporters will get squeezed for more efficiency (and lower prices) as the vertical farms become more efficient and valuable.
(in Singapore, which is on the cutting edge).
The new farm is able to produce 1 ton of fresh veggies every other day, which are sold in local supermarkets.
The farm itself is made up of 120 aluminum towers that stretch thirty feet tall. Looking like giant greenhouses, the rows of plants produce about a half ton of veggies per day. Only three kinds of vegetables are grown there, but locals hope to expand the farm to include other varieties. The farm is currently seeking investors to help build 300 additional towers, which would produce two tons of vegetables per day. Although the $21 million dollar price tag is hefty, it could mean agricultural independence for the area.
The vertical farm veggies have become a big hit with the locals too. Although the produce costs 10 to 20 cents more than other veggies at the supermarket, consumers seemed eager to buy the freshest food possible – often buying out the market’s stock of vertical farm foods. This innovative vertical farm could help change the way the world eats, giving dense cities an opportunity to grow food in their own back yard.
I couldn't find out if they're being subsidized by the government or not, but this is pretty awesome. I imagine the major fruit and veggie exporters will get squeezed for more efficiency (and lower prices) as the vertical farms become more efficient and valuable.
