Title: Researcher

Association/Company: Università di Bologna

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Speech session
Allies and Challenges for innovation in Agritech

Speech title
Opening new ways for resource efficient vertical farming

Abstract
Vertical farms are claimed to be resources’ efficient growing systems thanks to the capability to use the vertical dimension for plants’ cultivation, to recover water drained by the substrate and transpired by plants, and to reuse nutrients in closed loop cycles. In absence of solar light and in an airtight environment, such the one characterizing a vertical farm, lighting devices and climate control units become fundamental for running the system. Both need electricity, making intensive energy use the most significant drawback of the technology. The aim of this presentation is to critically analyze the sustainability claims of vertical farming, figure out a comparison with other high-tech growing solutions, and highlight strategies that may be adopted to transform this “niche growing solution” into a key component of our future food systems.