Welsh growers needed to ‘transform’ farming Free vertical farming project launched
ANEW vertical farming project – the first of its kind in North Wales – is aiming to “transform” crop growing in the region.
Enterprise body Menter Môn will be issuing hydroponics kits to farmers and growers as part of its Tech Tyfu initiative, to be launched later this month.
These will enable “soil-less” fruit and veg to be grown in nutrient-rich solutions inside redundant farm buildings.
The kits can be trialled without charge for a year.
The participants will be signed up to a skills-sharing forum.
Tech Tyfu will also look to develop a supply chain for the resulting produce.
Long term the aim is to make the region’s food production sector more climate-resilient.
Menter Môn managing director Dafydd Gruffydd said the project offers post-Brexit diversification avenues for farmers.
He said: “Whilst vertical farming might seem more familiar in an urban setting, it has significant potential here in North Wales.
“We think vertical farming could enable farmers and growers to reach high value markets in some of the many high-end restaurants we have here.”
Menter Môn said its “pioneer growers” will ultimately be able to develop the technology to suit their own farm businesses.
As LED lighting is often a key component of vertical farming, the system suits producers with access to solar and wind power, while those with biomass plants and anaerobic digesters can generate heat for their crops.
Project lead is PhD student Luke Tyler, who said the riskfree venture could provide long-term environmental and climate benefits.
“Hydroponics can use as little as 10% of the water used in conventional growing, and ensure increased resilience in extreme weather events,” he said.
“As we become more aware of the need to consider our impact on climate, this project will help us think differently about how we produce food and grow our crops.”
For more details, luke@mentermon.com. email