vertical farming

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

a method of growing crops in stacked horizontal layers within controlled indoor environments, using LED lighting, hydroponic or aeroponic growing systems, and precise climate control to produce food year-round independent of weather and with drastically reduced land and water use compared to conventional agriculture; vertical farms can operate in urban warehouses, repurposed buildings, or purpose-built towers, dramatically shortening supply chains to urban consumers; while highly efficient for leafy greens, herbs, and strawberries, the high capital and energy costs of vertical farming remain barriers to its application for staple calorie crops such as wheat, rice, and maize