Indoor farming soutions specialist supports Inagro with its first vertical farming tower
Urban Crop Solutions has commissioned the first vertical farming tower at Agrotopia, the research centre for sustainable agriculture in Roeselare, Belgium.
The installation marked a ”significant milestone” in the incorporation of vertical farming in traditional greenhouse farming, the group noted.
Designed by Urban Crop Solutions, the tower allows Agrotopia to grow crops on multiple levels, maximising space efficiency, within their existing roof top greenhouse.
The system is supported by dynamic lighting that combines natural sunlight with LED lights.
With Agrotopia’s 12m-high glass facade greenhouse as a backdrop, this new installation provides a space-efficient alternative to traditional greenhouse farming, Urban Crop Solutions said.
The final system, consisting of three towers, each 10m high, utilises 16 moving tables per tower.
“With this first vertical hybrid farming tower, we demonstrate how advanced indoor farming technology can be integrated with the power of natural sunlight,” said Jean-Pierre Coene, CEO of Urban Crop Solutions. ”This project is an example of how technology and nature can work hand in hand towards a sustainable future.”
The first vertical farming tower is the result of close collaboration between Urban Crop Solutions and Inagro.
Inagro, in cooperation with UGent, is exploring the technical capabilities of the system by developing a digital model, which will allow critical elements such as lighting and irrigation to be accurately analysed and improved.
“With the data collected from this tower, we can further develop our knowledge and help growers optimise their cultivation systems,” said Maarten Ameye, research leader at Inagro.
“Leafy greens, strawberries, and microgreens will be the first crops tested, with the aim of developing innovative cultivation techniques applicable to both urban and traditional greenhouse farming.”
Bart Naeyaert, government deputy for agriculture, emphasised the need for efficient space use in urbanised areas.
“In a time when agricultural land is becoming scarce, this project offers a solution by growing upwards,” he said. “It shows how we can produce food on a limited surface and reinforces Flanders’ leadership in sustainable and innovative food production.”
Urban Crop Solutions confirmed that, following the introduction of the first tower, the construction of two additional towers would begin.
