November 01, 2012 | |
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tags: | #Singapore, #urban farming, #vegetables, #vertical farm |
located: | Malaysia |
by: | Itai Lahat |
The dense metropolis of Singapore is now home to the world’s first commercial vertical farm! Built by Sky Greens Farms, the rising steel structure will help the city grow more food locally, reducing dependence on imported produce. The new farm is able to produce one ton of fresh veggies every other day, which are sold in local supermarkets.
The world’s first commercial vertical farm will provide a fresh new source of sustainable produce for Singaporeans. The tiny country currently produces only 7% of its vegetables locally, driving a need to buy from other countries. But thanks to the new vertical farm, citizens can eat locally produced goodies available exclusively at the FairPrice Finest supermarket.
The farm itself is made up of 120 aluminum towers that stretch six meters tall. Looking like giant greenhouses, the rows of plants produce about a half ton of veggies per day. Only three kinds of vegetables are grown there, but locals hope to expand the farm to include other varieties. The farm is currently seeking investors to help build 300 additional towers, which would produce two tons of vegetables per day. Although the $21 million dollar price tag is hefty, it could mean agricultural independence for the area.
The vertical farm veggies have become a big hit with the locals, too. Although the produce costs 10 to 20 cents more than other veggies at the supermarket, consumers seemed eager to buy the freshest food possible – often buying out the market’s stock of vertical farm foods. This innovative vertical farm could help change the way the world eats, giving dense cities an opportunity to grow food in their own back yard.
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