Vertical Farming is a process of growing produce in vertically stacked layers.

This can be done with the use of soil, or by using hydroponic (science of soil less farming) or aeroponic (growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil)methods.

It can be said that vertical farms produce food in challenging environments, eg: where arable is rarely found or unavailable.

ADVANTAGES

1. It is able to use 95% less water, but it is recycled.
2. Year-round production of crop.
3. Reduction in use of fossil fuels.
4. Converts black and grey water to drinking water.
5. Restaurant waste is used for methane generation, thereby controlling vermin.
6. Weather related crop failures do not occur.
7. Urban employment opportunities are created.
8. Agricultural runoff is eliminated.
9. Abandoned and unused properties can be used.
10. Energy is added back to the grid through methane generation.

DISADVANTAGES

1. Dependence upon fossil fuels, generates a need to develop renewable and alternative energy technologies.
2. Its dependence upon artificial light has environmental and energy effects.
3. Destabilisation of communities dependent upon agriculture.
4. Expensive and technical to start vertical farming and sustain.
5. Being technology based, it may fail at any time.