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“Water covers 71% of the planet’s surface, but only 3% of it is suitable for consumption and agriculture, and its consumption grows at a rate twice that of the population. If we do not change our habits, global water demand could increase by 50% by 2030,” the World Economic Forum warned.
“Agriculture is both a cause and a victim of water scarcity. According to estimates, it accounts for 70% of global water extraction, and freshwater resources are under heavy pressure from irrigation and food production. This also causes soil salinization, with the consequent deterioration of the quality of the crops.”
However, there is one farming method that can drastically reduce water consumption: vertical farming. “In some respects, vertical farming resembles greenhouse farming, but crops grow in stacked layers, using artificial lighting to manipulate plant growth, which also allows for 24-hour production, if desired. It’s often much more sophisticated and has numerous advantages for crop production, including general metrics such as reduction of kilometers traveled per food, non-use of chemicals, and, in general terms, promotion of afforestation. Compared to greenhouse cultivation, this approach goes beyond environmental control, eliminates more variabilities, and is also beneficial in terms of water conservation.”
“In advanced vertical farming solutions, water is applied in exact doses, which minimizes waste and increases productivity at all levels. This is achieved by recirculating and treating nutrient-rich water and capturing water that would otherwise be lost by perspiration. Filters, UV treatment, and complex treatment and recirculation systems are tailored to the exact needs of each plant, just as a hospital’s treatment regimen would be tailored to a patient and their underlying condition and needs.”
“In general, depending on the crop, vertical farms can use up to 98% less water than traditional agriculture.”
Source: weforum.org