Vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture

The increasing global population, rapid urbanization, and declining availability of fertile land have increased the pressure on traditional agricultural systems, thus raising concerns regarding long-term food security and environmental sustainability. In the current situation, agriculture is significantly challenged by climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, and excessive dependence on chemical inputs, which reduces productivity. These have demanded the adoption of innovative and resource-efficient farming approaches.

Vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) has emerged as advanced cultivation systems that enable crop production in vertically stacked layers under controlled environmental conditions, including light, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide. These systems use modern technologies such as hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, artificial lighting, and automated monitoring to increase productivity and resource-use efficiency. Existing literature highlights that vertical farming can significantly increase yield per unit area, reduce water consumption, minimize pesticide use, and ensure annual production. Also, recent studies highlight the role of dynamic environmental control and smart monitoring systems in optimizing plant growth and reducing operational costs.