Waregem, 19 September 2024 – Urban Crop Solutions proudly announces the commissioning of the first innovative vertical farming tower at Agrotopia, the research center for sustainable agriculture in Roeselare. This groundbreaking installation marks a significant milestone in the incorporation of vertical farming in traditional greenhouse farming. Designed by Urban Crop Solutions, the tower allows Agrotopia to grow crops on multiple levels, maximizing space efficiency, within their existing roof top greenhouse.The system is supported by dynamic lighting that combines natural sunlight with LED lights.
Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture
With Agrotopia’s 12-meter-high glass façade greenhouse as a backdrop, this new installation provides a space-efficient alternative to traditional greenhouse farming. The final system, consisting of three towers, each 10 meters high, utilizes 16 moving tables per tower. Thanks to the innovative combination of dynamic LED lighting and natural sunlight, plant growth is optimized, and productivity is increased.
Jean-Pierre Coene, CEO of Urban Crop Solutions, explains: “With this first vertical hybrid farming tower, we demonstrate how advanced indoor farming technology can be integrated with the power of natural sunlight. This project is an example of how technology and nature can work hand in hand towards a sustainable future.”
Watch the video: VIDEO: Inagro demonstrates vertical farming cultivation system
Collaboration and Research for the Future
The first vertical farming tower is the result of close collaboration between Urban Crop Solutions and Inagro. Inagro,in cooperation with UGent, is exploring the technical capabilities of the system by developing a digital model. This allows critical elements such as lighting and irrigation to be accurately analyzed and improved.
“With the data collected from this tower, we can further develop our knowledge and help growers optimize their cultivation systems,” says Maarten Ameye, research leader at Inagro. “Leafy greens, strawberries, and microgreens will be the first crops tested, with the aim of developing innovative cultivation techniques applicable to both urban and traditional greenhouse farming.”
Sustainable Urban Food Production
Bart Naeyaert, Government Deputy for Agriculture, emphasizes the need for efficient space use in urbanized areas: “In a time when agricultural land is becoming scarce, this project offers a solution by growing upwards. It shows how we can produce food on a limited surface and reinforces Flanders’ leadership in sustainable and innovative food production.”
Future Plans and Expansion
Following the validation of the first tower, the construction of two additional towers will begin. Alongside technical research, economic data will be collected to develop new business models where vertical farming can complement traditional greenhouse farming.
With this project, Urban Crop Solutions, in collaboration with Agrotopia and Inagro, sets a new standard for the future of sustainable agriculture.