NASA tests next-generation indoor farming to feed over 10 bn people by 2050

After successfully establishing first vertical farm, containing plants grown through unconventional methods, NASA has launched a new generation of indoor farming. need for indoor farming is w more than ever as United Nations (UN) predicts that Earth’s population will breach 10 billion mark by 2050. It is a matter of concern as majority of new population will reside in urban areas with farmlands around and feeding such a huge crowd will t be possible through conventional farming. This new method being practised by NASA aims to tackle problem of food production both on Earth and in .

Industry of controlled environment agriculture is future

Initially, NASA began testing techlogies to grow crops indoors through vertical farms, where various crops were planted in rows of hydroponic trays like bookshelves against walls. To ensure growth of plants in se rows, scientists ded systems for lighting, ventilation, and circulating water using off--shelf parts. Through this method, scientists aimed to determine quality of plant growth in presence of water but without sunlight and open air.

According to NASA, it was this plant growth method that has given birth to  industry of controlled environment agriculture or CEA. Nate Storey, chief science officer at Plenty Unlimited, one of collaborators of NASA’s plant-growth research said that it is this approach that would help feed next generation. Interestingly, Plenty's two-acre farm produces similar yields to a 720-acre outdoor farm with use of just 1% water used in tritional farming.

NASA states that CEA is a method that optimises plant growth and maximises efficiency by combining plant science and environmental control along with frequent incorporation of vertical growth structures. "Techlogy enables filtering of contaminants from crop water and delivers precise nutrient balances. Artificial lighting provides only necessary wavelengths at right time, intensity, and duration. While environmental controls maintain ideal temperature and humidity", explained ncy. 

development of indoor farming techlogy is also essential as astronauts in also need to be fed during long-term exploration, something which can only be done by growing plants using less water, energy and without soil. It is estimated that industry of vertical farming and indoor farming in general, which currently stands at $2.9 billion, will skyrocket to a whopping $7.3 billion by 2025. 

(Im: NASA)