Results Phase 1 | Fieldlab Vertical Farming

Introduction

In view of the rapidly increasing world population, there is a great need for innovative agricultural methods to greatly increase the production of food per square meter. An important development in this respect is the vertical cultivation of products in a closed, fully conditioned environment, where cultivation is (usually) produced in several layers on top of each other with minimal use of space and without the use of chemical crop protection agents.

The Fieldlab offers its services from physical facilities at four locations in South Holland:

In Bleiswijk for research and demonstration (technical and cultivation-technical aspects), with a facility for strategic applied research and demonstration at WUR Greenhouse Horticulture and a facility for practical research and demonstration at Delphy Improvement Center
In Naaldwijk in the World Horti Centre, facilities for education and demonstration related to vertical farming
In Ridderkerk in the Experience Center of Van Gelder, facilities for market and consumer issues for vertical farming
In Zwaagdijk in the facility of Vertify

The Fieldlab has 9 partners who have committed to this collaboration:

Industry: Signify, Logiqs, Own Greens
Research & Consulting: WUR, InHolland, Delphy & Improvement Centre, Vertify
Greenport Horti Campus

WP1

Market Understanding and Development

Market understanding

>70% Dutch consumers do not know Vertical Farming
Plenty of options to build a narrative
Consumers’ purchasing motives are based on product characteristics (such as freshness, taste) and less about where it comes from or what the production process looks like

View presentation Consumers – Gemma Tacken, WUR

View presentation – Eric Poot, WUR

Download presentation Consumer study quantitative

Download presentation Consumer study qualitative

Download presentation chain parties

Business Development

The yield price and electricity price are by far the most decisive for the profitability of a vertical farming business.
Calculated with realistic prices for yields and electricity, profitable business operations in a vertical farm are possible.

Download presentation

View videos

WP2

Innovation and Demonstration

How Climate Control Location Impacts Crop Diversity in Vertical Farms
Ideal Testbeds for Energy-Saving Strategies
Variety Selection Crucial for Vertical Farm Success
Where Every Second Counts, Every Drop Matters
Extending Strawberry Production Peaks in Vertical Farms

WP3

Education and Training

Working with students

"Working with students provides new insights, both in conducting research and designing experiments, providing cultivation advice, and as discussion partners. Working with students is therefore always enjoyable for both parties to be able to learn from each other."

Watch: Green Juniors filmfestival

Managing a vertical farm

HAS University of Applied Sciences and InHolland University of Applied Sciences developed a module ‘Managing a vertical farm’ to share knowledge and experience with professionals from horticulture and related industries with special interest in vertical or city farming.

Database

We made life easy and created a database on vertical farming articles, presentations and webinars.

View database

WP4

Business Accelerator

The aim of work package 4 is to find a sustainable structure of the organisation and governance for the fieldlab. In 2020-2021, a scientifically based study was first conducted into business acceleration in the fieldlab.

Download research

Experiences of the partners
Connecting partners' business values’

Building an organizational form and governance for a sustainable collaboration requires a phase of exploration, doing things together and listening to each other. Getting to know each other's business values and ambitions and building trust.
Goal-oriented and open research together accelerates knowledge development among all partners.
Access to business data for research is concretely supportive of the development in the companies.
Reflection on the business values by partners, offers development opportunities for their own business and for new business (partners).
The partners form a valuable chain.