What is the Project?
Cost-effective vertical farms – a full stack for setting up an IT-driven vertical farming business that transforms the way fresh and healthy foods are produced. Choose Your Vertical Farming Technology and explore cutting-edge vertical farming systems with full-service support for cost-effective commercial production. Designed to deliver extreme freshness and efficiency, the system offers uninterrupted production, ensuring that produce is delivered mere hours after harvesting. It’s a dynamic solution that integrates modern technology and agricultural expertise… Ideal for urban settings, vertical farms empower controlled, year-round growth in a compact, automated environment.
Main Benefits
Key figures and facts include:
- 365-days of the most optimal, natural indoor growing conditions
- Water-saving technology with 95% reduced water consumption
- Predictable harvest volumes and accurate sales planning thanks to 24/7 digital monitoring
- 1-stop shop: full-service support from design to software and installation
- Pesticides-free production in a controlled environment nearest the end-customer
- Cost-effective solutions with a 5-6 year payback period
iFarm Technologies
A range of innovative iFarm solutions drives this project forward. The iFarm Leafy Greens system enables the cultivation of salads and herbs in a controlled environment using Nutrient Film Technique hydroponics, ensuring automated and scalable technology. Meanwhile, iFarm StackGrow delivers a fully-automated hydroponic vertical farming solution that maximizes plant density and energy savings with minimal manual labor. For those focusing on small crops, iFarm Microgreens introduces a cutting-edge use of the Flood & Drain irrigation method to achieve up to 55 harvests per year. Other components, like iFarm Growtune software—a SaaS platform for managing automated farms—further consolidate the digital innovation at the heart of this agriculture revolution.
Vertical Farming Business Insights
The project offers a SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FOR YOUR VERTICAL FARMING BUSINESS. An integrated suite of services covers detailed financial planning, installation documentation, project design, consulting, market research, financial modeling, and design concept for business launches. The approach not only streamlines installation but also provides continuous business support through automation of production via the all-in-one SaaS platform. Free project evaluation based on individual parameters is available, ensuring that prospective entrepreneurs are well-informed. Even though the smallest feasible vertical farm with these technologies is 50 sq.m, experience shows that a more profitable venture starts at 500 sq.m with a 7.5 m ceiling height, equating to 1,000 sq.m of growth area.
Efficient Production and Energy Savings
The advantages of using iFarm vertical farms extend well beyond the initial setup. Greens, herbs, vegetables, and berries cultivated on these farms are known for their extreme freshness, as the time between cutting and delivering produce to a restaurant or store shelf is only a few hours. With year-round harvesting and stable produce prices, the system offers uniformity in weight, appearance, and taste, as well as being free from diseases and deformations. In terms of energy consumption, the biggest users on a vertical farm are LED lamps (55%), air conditioners (30%), and dehumidifiers (10%), which together account for over 95% of the energy use—with the remaining 5% used by other devices. This careful allocation of energy resources ensures both energy savings and sustainable production.
Urban and Controlled Environment Advantages
Vertical farms can be strategically situated in urban areas, allowing produce to be delivered at its freshest quality. The closed air cycle and controlled microclimate within these farms eliminate the need for pesticides, herbicides, and acaricides. Design possibilities range from installations covering as little as 500 sq.m to large-scale operations that exceed 20,000 sq.m. Combining production, processing, warehousing, and storage in one location results in significant expenditure cuts. Plus, the use of iFarm Growtune software eliminates the need for highly-qualified employees, as automation substantially reduces risks and maximizes yields. The system’s ability to use 90-95% less water than traditional agriculture reinforces its sustainable edge.
Project Impact
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
Key Implementation Insights
Vertical farming with iFarm technologies delivers a comprehensive and integrated model that simplifies every facet of agricultural production. The interfacing of design, consulting, installation, and ongoing support—paired with a robust control system for monitoring and management—creates a seamless operational flow. By consolidating production and logistics and by placing farms within urban centers, produce arrives fresh and uniform, reducing wastage and ensuring premium quality. The dynamic, technology-driven approach, peppered with innovation and efficiency enhancements, redefines urban farming, making it a viable and exciting option for modern agricultural investments… The result is a futuristic model that stays true to its sustainable, cost-effective roots while delivering reliable, high-quality outputs.
