Vertical farming – agriculture for socio-ecological transformation?

An analysis of vertical farming with reference to the concept of food sovereignty

Abstract

In view of the social and ecological crises of the dominant food system, the thesis is put forward that alternatives to prevailing industrial agriculture are necessary. Vertical farming (VF) is increasingly being discussed as a resource-saving high-tech alternative. This thesis examines the contribution that VF can make to socially and ecologically just and sustainable food production.

For the normative evaluation, the concept of food sovereignty is used, which stands for an ecologically sustainable and socially just food system. Methodologically, the thesis combines a systematic literature review (SLR) with a case study. The SLR analyses the social and ecological costs and benefits of VF discussed in the research. Building on this, two existing vertical farms – Bustanica (UAE) and Nordic Harvest (Denmark) – are analysed to examine context-dependent advantages and disadvantages and practical scope for implementation.

The results show that VF offers ecological and social benefits, but also entails considerable costs. The assessment depends largely on three factors: the technical design, the location and local climatic conditions, and the form of organisation. Overall, VF does not currently meet the key criteria for food sovereignty. Under certain conditions, however, it can be a useful supplement to conventional farming methods – for example in densely populated urban areas. Overall, the transformative potential of VF lies primarily in niche areas, and should neither be overestimated nor ignored.

The study thus contributes to the up till now little-researched connection between VF and food sovereignty and shows under what conditions VF could be designed in a socially and ecologically equitable manner.