Almost 40% of the Earth’s landmass is used for agriculture, and 25% of the world’s productive lands have been degraded. That’s a scary situation already, but conflict and climate change could make it even worse, further challenging land availability for farming and putting food security at risk.
That’s why vertical farms have been growing in popularity. There’s a company called Plenty in America producing the same quantity of produce in 2 acres as a 750-acre farm. Meanwhile, in Denmark, YesHealth Group and Nordic Harvest just opened a vertical farm in an old windowless warehouse in Copenhagen that will produce 1,000 tons of produce yearly by 2021. That’s fresh food being produced locally, so it doesn’t have to be imported to meet a city’s food demand.
Nordic Harvest explains on its website:
“Rainforests are felled to make way for fields and cattle. Emissions of nitrogen cause oxygen depletion. Animals disappear because their habitats are confiscated for agriculture, and beneficial insects are at risk of extinction due to pesticides.
We have become accustomed to being able to eat the same foods all year round at competitive prices and always freshly delivered. And with that, we have created a food structure that – somewhat squarely said – means that we clear rainforest in the tropics when we buy an avocado in Denmark.
But thanks to new technology and knowledge, we can now grow lettuce and herbs locally in Denmark on clean wind energy and with minimal consumption of water. Without the use of fertilizers, toxic pesticides, or discharges into nature. We can even harvest 15 times a year and produce 1000 tons of greens in 100 times less space than if we grew in the field.
In fact, our production fills no more than a single football field. In comparison, the total Danish consumption of salads and herbs is 20,000 tons per year, and only about 30% is grown in this country. With 20 football pitches, Denmark will be self-sufficient in salads and herbs. Well felt sustainably and with better quality and taste. All year.”
Vertical farming minimizes land use by growing vegetables vertically and using sun-mimicking LEDs as a light source. Pairing it with renewable energy, and you have an ultra-sustainable way of providing food for thousands of people. The farm in Denmark will get 100% of its electricity needs from power generated by wind turbines.
YesHealth currently runs the largest vertical farm in China, in Taiwan. When the Danish farm proves successful, the company will likely branch out across Europe, setting up vertical farms near major cities.
YesHealth Group has an honorable mission:
“Our vision is to lead civilization in the evolution of agriculture by expanding our networks of vertical farms sustainably. This way, we provide value to the planet, the people, and our partners.
Rapid climate change causes food shortages and food safety concerns. Our networks of vertical farms solve these challenges by providing a resource-efficient and ultra-local form of agriculture.”
The Danish farm will consume 90-95% less water than traditional farming. No pesticides, chemicals, or artificial fertilizers will be used. Access to the growing environment happens through an airlock – from seed to packaging – so the plants aren’t even touched by human hands. Watering is done through a hydroponic system at the roots, so the leaves never get wet. This, combined with how they lower the temperature right before harvest, so the plants draw in more water and nutrients, results in a crisper, fresher, longer-lasting, and more delicious product.
