Advantages And Disadvantages Of Vertical Farming

Despite having numerous advantages, this project does have a few major disadvantages. The primary disadvantage is the cost of establishing a farm. The machinery, equipment, infrastructure and other tools required for this come at a high cost. However Dickson Despommier believes that as the concept popularise, the cost of establishing a farm will be more affordable. A lot of electricity is consumed in order to replicate the outdoor situations in an indoor farm. This is both high expenditure and eco-friendly. However, solar panels can be seen as an alternative to providing electricity to these farms.

In addition to the costs is the property expense. Owning, renting or purchasing buildings in urban areas are highly costly. Hence the over all

Methodology and Findings

The research method that will be used is mixed methods. This makes use of both qualitative and quantitative approaches:

 Qualitative approach: To survey people on their awareness and understanding of the topic. To investigate whether people believe vertical farming can be a possible solution to food insecurity in Africa. Whether or not, people in urban areas would support the establishments of vertical farms in their areas.

 Quantitative approach: To compare the growth rates of a traditionally grown plant and a vertically farmed plant hence proving the theory that vertically farmed produces grow faster and can be beneficial in providing quality products in less time.

The research is mainly primary research. A questionnaire needs to be distributed to survey people living in the community about their views on vertical farming. The plants need to be farmed and continuously monitored to prove the theory of faster grown produces by vertically farming. People involved in the research of vertical farming need to be interviewed on their opinions and research about the topic. The secondary research for this topic is minimal. However there are websites and videos on the concept of vertical farming, theoretical issues and benefits of the

Research Ethics and Validity of Data

3.1.1. Research question

How can the process of farming be improved to assist in solving the problem of food insecurity?

The question asked above is open to all groups of people. Everyone needs food to sustain them, as it’s a basic need of life. Hence farming and matters of food insecurity should be a global concern. The question doesn’t exclude any specific group of people and rather insists on getting everyone’s opinions.

3.1.2. Research purpose

The purpose of the research is to investigate whether vertical farming can be an improved farming method to be implemented in African countries to try and battle the issues of food insecurity. The people being surveyed will be provided with a background on the topic of vertical farming and what the intension of the research is. They will then be required to provide their opinion of the topic through a