Indoor Farming: Can it be Profitable?
Technology and innovations change everything in the world on a near daily basis and farming is no exception. Indoor farming is quickly becoming a very popular choice, with some even seeing it as the future of farming. There are a number of reasons why this type of growing is tempting, but it always comes down to the bottom line – is it profitable?
What Exactly is Indoor Farming?
In general, indoor farming refers to growing food inside of a structure. There are a number of different types of alternative farming setups, including greenhouses and vertical warehouse farms. The indoor farming that we will discuss here is the type that is done indoors without any natural sunlight.
How do farmers grow inside without a greenhouse? That’s where innovative technology comes in. Indoor farmers use highly specialized growing units that supply all of the light and water that the crops need to grow. There are a number of different types of growing units available, but the best ones utilize vertical space to increase the number of plants that can grow within each square foot.
The best of these highly technical units use sensors to track water and nutrients, which are adjusted according to the needs of the plants. Since they are so finely tuned to the health of the crops, the time it takes from seed to harvest can be quicker than growing in traditional farms or gardens.
Benefits of Indoor Farming
Unpredictable weather, pest problems, and issues with space that are common problems in traditional farming are not an issue when crops are grown inside. This makes vertical farming under a roof a great choice for many people all over the world.
Some specific benefits of indoor farming include:
• Indoor growing setups can bring a plant to harvest four to five times faster than traditional farming.
• The best indoor growing systems use 90% less water than outdoor farming or gardening.
• Indoor farming does not require pesticides or other pest management solutions.
• Food can move from harvest to plate much faster, which retains more of the flavor and nutrients.
• Large pieces of land are not required.
Uses for Indoor Farming
There are many uses for indoor farming and as technology progresses, these uses continue to expand. Indoor farming setups are starting to pop up in lower-cost light industrial areas of cities, since they can set up in almost any type of building. These farms are able to offer superior produce without having to invest in large pieces of farmland.
Vertical indoor farming shelves are gaining popularity in restaurant and food prep settings as well. Instead of receiving daily or weekly produce deliveries, restauranteurs are choosing to grow their own fresh produce. This allows them to have the best, most flavorful produce in their dishes while cutting down significantly on waste. The staff only harvest what is needed moments before it is used in the kitchen.
Many people are also turning to indoor farming for personal use. Some vertical farming setups are quite attractive and make an impressive addition to any kitchen or pantry. Families now have access to the healthiest and most delicious produce possible, right in their own homes. Since produce is picked right before eating, everything grown this way is incredibly nutrient dense and tasty.
How to Ensure Profitability
When it comes to the different types of farming, profitability is always the biggest question. While the initial setup in vertical farms can be high, it is not as high as purchasing a large piece of fertile farmland, the farm equipment, as well as employing workers to sow, weed, tend, and harvest the plants.
Vertical farming can save money in a number of ways:
• It requires very little water when compared to the irrigation needs of traditional farming.
• Growing and harvesting can continue year-round, instead of breaking for the winter months.
• There is less waste when restaurants or private homeowners use indoor farming for their main source of produce.
• There are no costly pesticides needed.
• Each harvest is almost completely guaranteed. There is no need to worry about drought, pests, too much rain, or weather that is either too cold or hot.
In the end, though the initial costs for indoor farming units can be an investment, it will not take long to reap the rewards of this smart financial choice. As this technology becomes more commonplace and gains popularity, you will surely see indoor farms popping up everywhere.
