Farms in the shops
Fresh products are the best, and nothing fresh more than freshly harvested crops. To achieve this, Berlin-based Enfarm wants to give consumers access to fresh produce directly by placing vertical farms in grocery stores.
Although vertical agriculture is not a completely new idea, the Infrom approach is undoubtedly new. Instead of conventional internal vertical farming, the company uses a typical approach to its market-to-market strategy, allowing it to deploy vertical agriculture on a smaller scale that is easily expandable.
You will not find INFARM products stored in large warehouses, but in places frequented by customers, such as grocery stores, shopping malls and restaurants. You will be able to see the crops, choose the products that come harvested, and put them in the grocery basket.
"When we introduced our idea three or four years ago, people looked at us like crazy," one of the founders of the Irvim Ghalonska told TechCrunch. Today, we are the first company in the world to evaluate vertical plantations in the supermarket. "
Good for your health and environmentally friendly
The typical Invermod plantations help to promote a healthier lifestyle, making urban dwellers close to fresh vegetables, and Enfarm is keen to keep their crops fresh. Each vegetable culture unit monitors irrigation-related sensors and an online controlled feed system.
"This system is really smart. It guides you to the right place for harvest, and tells you when it is harvest time, and here comes your turn, and learning the machine can help us understand and predict future problems. "
Vertical agriculture also helps to eliminate waste and promotes food self-sufficiency in cities. They reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with traditional farming methods - using pesticides - as well as providing people with fresh crops. It is indeed a future agricultural solution.
Sources: TechCrunch, Infarm