Let’s talk about sustainability. With a projected world population of nearly 10 billion by 2050,[1] efficient and sustainable production of food are becoming increasingly important.
Behind all the fancy technology and the “sport” of aeroponic growing, Bifarm was built on the promise of sustainability. Precision aeroponics are a promising method of Agriculture Technology (or “AgTech”), especially in regions with arid climates.
Environmental challenges.
There are many regions of the world that are extremely difficult to farm due to aridity and natural productivity of the land. Often, the climate of these regions prevent them from being able to sustainably self-farm their produce, and ultimately pushes them turn to alternative growing methods, or rely on imported farmed goods. Specific problems that these regions may face include:
Soil quality. More often than not, soil in these regions don’t provide the proper qualities for good farming. Because of the arid climate, soil is dry, and has poor water retention. Farmers are commonly forced to combat these problems with additives, fertilizers, and chemicals, which can eventually leak into groundwater and pollute the larger environment.
Land availability: Regardless of the region or climate, land availability is something that has become a problem for farmers around the world. As population continues to grow, and cities expand, farmers have found themselves with less and less available land to be utilized for farming. Many cities have turned to urban farming as the future: Utilizing urban landscapes to create vertical farms, indoor grow facilities, and other spare space that can be used for non-traditional farming methods.
Water availability: Since the dawn of man, and the birth of farming, land has been chosen strategically based on its access to water (which frequently indicates higher quality soil as well). In arid regions, many farmers have relied on water recycling, and irrigation systems. Water availability is even more key due to the lack of rainfall in these regions, so it’s important to consider growing tactics that are able to reduce the usage of water.
Air quality: High temperatures can leave crops vulnerable to damage from dry soil and intense light exposure. In deserts, severe weather patterns such as wind and sandstorms are a hazard to growing crops. In an urban setting, industrial pollution may affect quality plant growth. To combat this problem, many regions have turned to indoor growing facilities with a controlled environment.
Controlled environment agriculture and aeroponics.
Aeroponic growing is considered “controlled environment agriculture”, meaning that it addresses the environmental challenges above by mimicking an “ideal” growing environment in a closed space. Compared to other controlled environment agricultural techniques, such as hydroponics and aquaponics, aeroponics provides the additional benefit of reduced water usage and increased yields. The lightweight trays from aeroponics also makes it easier to stack the grow system, and grow using vertical space.
Bifarm precision aeroponics.
Bifarm’s technology is specifically designed to be a sustainable farming solution, and ease the environmental challenges from arid climates. Our precision aeroponics systems break up nutrient solution into microscopic droplets that are then delivered via high-pressure nozzles. This method of nutrient delivery is the most efficient way to nourish the plant without oversaturating the roots. According to research done by NASA, precise high-pressure aeroponics leads to plants with larger yields, higher quality, and shorter grow cycles (read more on the growing benefits here). Not only does this allow modern farmers to turnaround more crops at a lower bottom line, but it’s a method of reducing water usage, pollution, and land usage. Three major contributing threats to the sustainability of farming.
Future Farm.
Future Farm is the first precision aeroponics system of it’s kind — capable of powering a commercial facility that’s consistent, cost effective, and compliant. This kind of commercial aeroponics facility was designed to introduce the technology on a broad, worldwide scale.
Bifarm’s mission is “Advance the way we grow today, to improve the way we live tomorrow.” Every detail of our technology has been carefully crafted to contribute to the sustainability of agriculture for generations to come, and that’s why we named our precision aeroponics solution “the Future Farm”.