UF Researchers Address Common Issues Faced by Indoor Farms
April 24, 2024 Greenhouses and vertical farms are gaining popularity across the globe, according to a blog post from the University of Florida (UF). While not conventional, indoor farms use less land and require less transportation than traditional farms, making them more eco-friendly. However, CEA operations face three issues that traditional farms typically don’t, UF says.
The most prevalent issue affecting greenhouses and vertical farms is operational costs. CEA growers need between $50 to $150 per square foot to build and maintain their operations. This doesn’t account for electricity, which makes up between 20% and 30% of total costs, according to UF’s research.
Indoor farms must also make geographical trade-offs. For instance, extreme temperatures impact how effective climate control systems are. And while rural areas are cheaper to build upon, they often require extra costs for transportation.
The third most common issue indoor farmers face is public perception. Many consumers view CEA as “unnatural” when compared to traditional farming. UF notes how CEA operations have been called “plant factories” in the past.
Researchers at UF suggest engaging all three dimensions of sustainability to address these issues: environment, economy and public perception. This means making a profitable product with minimal environmental impact and responding to what customers are looking for.
What do you think of these findings? Let us know in the comments.