Vertical Farming: Revolutionizing Strawberry Production and Sustainability

Vertical farming technology enables the global cultivation of high-quality, sustainable strawberries, transforming agriculture for a healthier future.

### Revolutionizing Agriculture: The Future of Vertical Farming and Sweet Strawberries
* 🍓 This strawberry is not just any fruit; it can be **up to three times sweeter** than regular strawberries, reminiscent of those celebrated in **Japanese culture**.
* 🌱 Strawberries hold a special place in Japan, often associated with **celebrations**, and are recognized by their unique varietal names like **Amaou** and **Tochiotome**.
* 🌍 With advancements in vertical farming technology, these strawberries can now be **grown anywhere**, overcoming the limitations of specific climate conditions in Japan.
* 👨 The journey began when the speaker, after moving to the US in 2015, realized the **vast difference in taste and quality of produce**, especially strawberries, compared to those in Japan.
* 💡 Despite initial skepticism about the viability of vertical farms for growing fruits, the speaker and their partner Brendan embarked on building their first farm in 2017, tackling **significant agricultural challenges**.
* 🌧 Vertical farming addresses issues like **extreme weather, water scarcity, and pesticide use**, providing a sustainable alternative that **doesn't require arable land**.
* 🐝 Through innovative techniques, including the successful integration of **sober bees for pollination**, vertical farms have achieved a remarkable **95% pollination success rate**, vastly improving efficiency.
* 📈 With the potential for **continuous production** and the ability to **innovate rapidly**, vertical farming is positioned to become a mainstream solution for sustainable agriculture, offering **delicious, pesticide-free strawberries** at **affordable prices**.

The Sweet Future of Vertical Farming | Hiroki Koga | TED

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The Unique Sweetness of Japanese Strawberries

Japanese strawberries can be up to three times sweeter than regular ones and are considered the king of fruits in Japanese culture, always sold with varietal names.

The specific climate conditions in Japan have traditionally limited their growth, but vertical farming technology now allows them to be grown worldwide.

The speaker, inspired by the difference in produce quality between Japan and the US, sees a huge opportunity to grow Japanese-quality fruits and vegetables.

Vertical farming technology was initially criticized for being expensive and limited to leafy greens.

Despite the challenges, the founders started their first farm in 2017, aiming to address global agriculture issues.

Vertical farms offer solutions like pesticide-free growth, water recycling, and the use of non-arable land, but skeptics question their viability as a business model.

The Impact of Vertical Farming on Produce Pricing

Vertical farmed products have decreased in price from $50 to $10 per pack in five years, with plans to become even cheaper than conventional products.

The ability to control the environment and conduct experiments year-round has allowed for rapid innovation and growth.

This approach has led to major breakthroughs in bee pollination, AI, and robotics, revolutionizing the way produce is grown.

Innovative Bee Pollination in Vertical Farms

Vertical farms face challenges with bee pollination, as drunk bees struggle to find flowers, leading to a low success rate.

After two years of research and observation, the farm implemented sober bees, achieving a pollination success rate of over 95%.

The use of data science, AI, and self-driving camera carts has improved efficiency, while AI-powered robots automate berry picking, working 24/7.

Vertical farming is revolutionizing agriculture by extending plant lifespans and increasing berry production to 365 days a year, resulting in four to five times more revenue per plant.

The innovative and efficient practices of vertical farms are making them potentially cheaper than conventional farming, even on a large scale.

This sustainable approach is already in action, with a solar-powered, water-recycling farm producing strawberries daily, and the technology has the potential to grow a variety of other crops.