Hugest European vertical farm to appear in the Netherlands

21.07.2017

In 2017, the hugest European vertical farm (about 900 square meters) will be set up in the Dutch town Dronten.

The general growing space will be 3000 m2. However, it is twice smaller than the world hugest vertical farm AeroFarms located in the U. S. (6500 m2).

Software and hardware will be provided by the research center GrowWise. Currently, the testing is conducted.

Up to 30 thousand bunches of arugula and various lettuce species would be harvested on the farm. It will be possible due to special photosynthesis accelerating Philips LEDs. As a result, a lettuce color and taste can be altered.

Plants will grow on a coconut substrate attached to a high-nutrient hydroponic system. Thus, plantings can grow without soil.

Due to electricity expenses, the price for such vegetables will be higher than for usual ones. In the future, GrowWise plans to make the production cost-effective using solar panels.

Soon, vertical farms can substitute conventional ones. The most well-off Japanese Masayoshi Son (SoftBank SEO) invested $200 m in the Plenty startup engaged in vegetables growing at vertical farms.

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