Horticulturae (Nov 2023)

Technological Trends and Engineering Issues on Vertical Farms: A Review

  • Md Shaha Nur Kabir,
  • Md Nasim Reza,
  • Milon Chowdhury,
  • Mohammod Ali,
  • Samsuzzaman,
  • Md Razob Ali,
  • Ka Young Lee,
  • Sun-Ok Chung

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9111229
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 11
p. 1229

Abstract

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Vertical farming has emerged as a promising solution to cope with increasing food demand, urbanization pressure, and limited resources and to ensure sustainable year-round urban agriculture. The aim of this review was to investigate the evolving technological landscape and engineering considerations, with a focus on innovative developments and future prospects. This paper presents technological trends in vertical farming, covering advances in sensing technologies, monitoring and control systems, and unmanned systems. It also highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in contributing to data-driven decision-making and the optimization of vertical farms. A global perspective on vertical farming is presented, including the current status and advanced technological trends across regions like Asia, the USA, and Europe. Innovative concepts and upcoming enterprises that could shape the future of vertical agriculture are explored. Additionally, the challenges and future prospects of vertical farming are also addressed, focusing on crop production limitations, environmental sustainability, economic feasibility, and contributions to global food security. This review provides guidance on the state of vertical farming, technological advancements, global trends, challenges, and prospects, offering insights into the roles of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in advancing sustainable vertical agriculture and food security.

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