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Ljusgårda LCA Study & Bosman Van Zaal's White Paper On Hygiene In Vertical Farming
Discover the latest news from the world of indoor vertical farming brought you by Artechno.
Thanks to Artechno Growsystems for keeping this edition free.
Welcome to "This Week in Indoor Farming," your essential digest for the latest developments and fascinating studies in the innovative world of indoor agriculture.
As we navigate the intricacies of sustainable food production, it's evident that novel methods such as vertical farming are becoming increasingly crucial. This week, we turn the spotlight on a comprehensive life cycle analysis conducted on the Swedish vertical farm, Ljusgårda, providing a fresh perspective on the environmental implications of this form of cultivation.
We'll also delve into Bosman Van Zaal's newly published whitepaper on hygienic design for vertical farms, and of course, we will bring you updates from across the industry.
So, grab a cup of your preferred brew and join us as we explore the cutting edge of sustainable food production.
This Week’s Editorial
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This Week in Indoor Farming
Vertical farming, the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers or inclined surfaces, is touted as a less sustainable alternative. The large-scale Swedish vertical farm, Ljusgårda, has been the subject of an intriguing new study comparing its environmental impact to conventionally grown lettuce. These life cycle analysis results are considered a global first in the still-emerging field of vertical farming.
The analysis was conducted by researchers Michael Martin, Mugahid Elnour, and Aina Cabrero. Their cradle-to-grave perspective has revealed that Ljusgårda has a lesser environmental footprint than imported lettuce varieties. Michael Martin, a senior researcher in sustainable production and consumption systems at IVL Swedish Environmental Institute and the Royal Institute of Technology, cautions, “Our study indicates that Ljusgårda succeeds in producing lettuce with a lower environmental impact than conventionally imported varieties. However, our conclusions are context-dependent and cannot be generalized to other regions.”
In response to the Life Cycle Analysis study, Erik Lundgren, the company’s co-founder and R&D manager, stated, “We cannot afford to see industry and nature as opposites. We must create closed, efficient ecosystems to relieve the planet and build a new food system. We call it Bio-Industrial Synergy.” He sees the research results as a confirmation of Ljusgårda’s endeavors and hopes that it will highlight the potential of controlled ecosystems in agriculture.
This study emphasizes the potential of vertical farming in addressing future food challenges. However, researchers are urging more longitudinal studies to understand better and document the exponential progress of this promising farming method. The findings provide an encouraging perspective on the evolution of sustainable farming, setting the stage for more extensive research in the field.
You can read the complete results here.
Bosman Van Zaal has recently published a new whitepaper titled “Food Grade Farming: Hygienic Design of a Vertical Farm to Produce Safe and High-Quality Crops Suitable for (Ready-to-Eat) Consumption.” This resource aims to shed light on the benefits and challenges associated with food-grade solutions in vertical farming, underscoring the crucial role of hygienic design in creating safe, premium crops.
The whitepaper explores the factors behind the escalating demand for hygienically designed food production. Among these are the rising popularity of convenience foods and increasing public awareness of the connection between diet and health. These trends have necessitated the creation of strict regulations and guidelines to uphold food safety and quality, making them critical considerations for growers and suppliers.
The document also explores the concept of “food grade,” although it isn’t an official designation with globally recognized criteria. The term essentially refers to practices that meet particular guidelines and regulations. Conforming to these standards is vital for growers aiming to comply with various safety and quality laws.
The whitepaper outlines a comprehensive 7-step plan to achieve food-grade farming. The plan covers all essential areas, including site and facility selection, installations, machinery and equipment design, implementing best agricultural practices, quality control, proper packaging and labeling, and suitable storage and transportation methods.
Read the white paper here.
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