Photos11
BY MELINA WALLING AND KENDRIA LAFLEUR
Updated 5:44 PM PDT, September 17, 2023
CLEBURNE, Texas (AP) — Inside a bright greenhouse about an hour outside Dallas, workers in hairnets and gloves place plugs of lettuce and other greens into small plastic containers — hundreds of thousands of them — that stack up to the ceiling. A few weeks later, once the vegetables grow to full size, they’ll be picked, packaged, and shipped out to local shelves within 48 hours.
This is Eden Green Technology, one of the latest crop of indoor farming companies seeking their fortunes with green factories meant to pump out harvests of fresh produce all year long. The company operates two greenhouses and has broken ground on two more at its Cleburne campus, where the indoor facilities are meant to shelter their portion of the food supply from climate change while using less water and land.
But that’s if the concept works. And players in the industry are betting big even as rivals wobble and fail. California-based Plenty Unlimited this summer broke ground on a $300 million facility, while Kroger announced that it will be expanding its availability of vertically farmed produce. Meanwhile, two indoor farming companies that attracted strong startup money — New Jersey’s AeroFarms and Kentucky’s AppHarvest — filed for bankruptcy reorganization. And a five-year-old company in Detroit, Planted Detroit, shut its doors this summer, with the CEO citing financial problems just months after touting plans to open a second farm.
EDITORIAL - AI Generated: 9-17-23
Indoor hydroponic farming offers a controlled and efficient way to grow plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions and artificial lighting. However, it comes with its own set of challenges. Here are three major challenges faced by indoor hydroponic farms:
Cost of Setup and Operational Expenses:
Establishing an indoor hydroponic farm involves significant initial investments in infrastructure, equipment, lighting systems, nutrient solutions, climate control systems, and automation technology. The cost of setting up the necessary indoor environment with proper insulation, lighting, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) can be high. Additionally, ongoing operational expenses like electricity for artificial lighting and maintaining optimal environmental conditions can add up, making it challenging to achieve profitability.
Technological Complexity and Expertise:
Operating an indoor hydroponic farm requires a good understanding of hydroponic principles, plant biology, irrigation systems, nutrient management, and technology. Implementing and managing sophisticated automated systems for lighting, climate control, and nutrient delivery requires technical expertise. Farmers need to stay updated with advancements in agricultural technology to ensure the efficient and effective operation of their indoor hydroponic systems. Acquiring and maintaining the necessary knowledge and skills can be a significant challenge.
Disease and Pest Management:
Although hydroponic systems can reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases, indoor hydroponic farms still face challenges related to diseases, pests, and pathogens that can affect plants grown in a controlled environment. Without the natural predators and elements found in an outdoor environment, indoor farms must implement proactive measures for disease prevention and pest control. Maintaining a clean and sterile environment, utilizing appropriate pest management techniques, and monitoring plant health closely are critical to ensuring successful hydroponic cultivation.
Efforts are continuously being made to address these challenges, such as the development of more efficient and cost-effective technologies, advancements in pest control methods, and improved operational practices. Overcoming these challenges will help indoor hydroponic farms increase productivity, reduce operational costs, and contribute to sustainable and efficient agriculture.
And, goodness, look at all of that plastic!
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