Stacking Up The Shelves

By Siddhesh A. Shinde

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” – John F. Kennedy

What an insightful quote. We are left pondering what Kennedy might have thought concerning how quickly things are changing now. The change will always occur. It is unavoidable. Globally, many sectors and companies are being affected by the enormous change that is currently underway. The farming or agricultural sector is one of these, and it is without a doubt the one that needs the greatest attention.

• The Question

The demand for sustainable resources increases along with globalization and population growth. This is most common in agriculture since it has become the world’s primary provider of food. Without agriculture, humans just could not survive. The farming sector has seen a lot of advancements. Similar to greenhouses, indoor farming has advanced significantly during the past century. The continual demand for food and the scarcity of land suitable for food production has intensified the urgency with which scientists must develop cutting-edge innovations in farming.

• Probable Solution

Innovative thinkers are exploring alternatives to traditional farming as urban inhabitants continue to grow to feed everyone with less negative environmental effects on our land and water supplies. The exponential growth in the global population and its negative effects are all too well known. Due to the land issue and space constraints, Earth will soon see a significant decline in arable land and a rise in food demand. Indian cities, which experience a tremendous influx of rural migrants looking for work and settling down in expanding urban sprawls, are particularly notable for their increased urbanization. It is vital to find a solution to the conundrum of decreasing arable land and feeding an expanding population.

Fortunately, advances in agricultural methods are increasing, and they may hold the secret to a fresh, sustainable future replete with nutrient-dense vegetables. Crops can be produced year-round without relying on the change of seasons or the condition of the soil by using a hydroponics system(s) within a temperature- and light-controlled structure. Additionally, there is no requirement to designate specific land to set up these indoor cultivation facilities. Cultivating in a controlled atmosphere also has the advantage of allowing plants to be stacked on shelves, yielding around ten times as much as crops grown on a single plot of land. This new concept is what is referred to as Vertical Farming.

With an expanding population and limited available farmland, vertical farming may be employed to meet the increasing global food demand. When it relates to the idea of maintaining these sustainable items, stacking the plants may seem like a hassle, but in reality, the water systems utilized in these settings provide plants with the proper quantity of water needed without the danger of drowning or drying them out. Producing food in this way also helps reduce water use for growth when compared to regular farm irrigation, which accounts for roughly 70% of the clean water accessible for drinking. This invention also helps the globe find a means to meet the demand of the continually expanding population while providing a way for everyone to obtain the crops they want in abundance all year long.

Crops can grow abundantly in a controlled environment without having to worry about weather variations, deficient soil, or bacterial diseases that might taint the crops. According to studies, LED lights are the most effective at simulating sunlight, hence they are being adopted by the indoor farming sector. The precise LED lighting is designed for each plant, and it has been demonstrated to control and boost nutrient levels in plants. The nutritional value of produce declines as atmospheric CO2 levels rise. The controlled environment sheds light on a bright future with food safety since it allows for the programming of an indoor timetable that perfectly simulates the great outdoors without the negative effects of storms, changes in the climate, and other variables that could harm plants.

Comprehensive indoor farming is expensive as a start-up and has significant energy expenses, however recent improvements in LED efficiency and cheaper LED production prices have started to make vertical farms more affordable. But at the moment, only a few crops make sense.

• Is it beneficial for India?

India is growing industrially, which results in a decrease in agricultural land as a result. This poses a serious risk to farming. Since the land was once the only supply of agriculture, one could not practice farming without it. But in today’s world, “vertical farming” has reduced this to a mere myth. Modern farming practices include vertical farming. As times change, new technology is also developed for convenience, increased productivity, and high-quality products. These technologies unquestionably benefit agriculture.

The majority of Indian states practice traditional farming. However, there are numerous risks in traditional farming, including strong downpours and winds. All of the farmers' attempts to cultivate crops are harmed by these conditions. Therefore, there is only one answer to all of these issues: vertical farming. Water and land use are reduced, and wasting is also reduced, in vertical farming. As a result of being raised in a controlled environment, crops in vertical farming are also protected from pests and other illnesses. Therefore, the longevity of vertical farming is demonstrated by these characteristics.

There are currently 1.4 billion people living in India, and that number is rising. We are losing agricultural land as a result of urbanization. The most difficult task is feeding such large people. “YES” is the correct response to this query. Indian agriculture would continue backwards if it doesn’t happen. To keep up with India’s development, Indian agriculture must change.

• The Opinion

But even though it needs a change, the more important part relies on the farmers’ perspective of this new method of farming. For what I believe does not make the opinion of many other farmers who actually put their effort into farming. Being a farmer and being an advisor about farming are two different parts of a coin.

“Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

But what one could do is educate the farmers and take their opinion about the same. For a farmer knows the soil and land better than one who understands to write about it. This brings us to the very beginning of the article and that is “change”, with time and days the one who is stuck with the old norms gets perished with the limited power of thinking. But the one who has the determination and hunger to learn something new will always succeed and keep up with the changing scenario of the world.

There are many examples of farmers in India today who are trying out new technologies or innovative ways to cultivate vegetables and at the same time not losing the healthiness aspect of it. Many engineers in India turning their attention to farming shows the scope of this sector. And many may think, the shift from engineering to farming is just because of not getting a job but the opposite is true. Many changed their attitude and found themselves more effective in farming and producing the best yield. The internet is open today not only for urban areas but also for rural areas. Today the Indian farmer has a smartphone in hand, all he needs is the support that can help him try new ways of farming.

“To be a farmer is to be a student forever, for each day brings something new.” – John Connell

In India nowadays, polyhouse farming makes up the majority of vertical farming. In India, poly-house farming provides increased productivity and yields of fruits and vegetables safely. But many people in India also have an opinion that India does not need vertical farming as India is rich with ample land for farming, all it needs is a good farming infrastructure.

Now, it is up to you all, the readers. What do you think? Should Indian farmers try out vertical farming which has its own benefits or stick with the traditional farming methods which have, till today filled the stomach of many Indians?

Think for yourself…

By Siddhesh A. Shinde