THE Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recognises several sustainable development (SDG) goals that promote urban agriculture, which notably recognises Goal 2, ending hunger, achieving food security, better nutrition and developing sustainable agriculture.
As cities grow, food security is becoming ever more of a concern. According to the FAO, by 2050, two-thirds of the world's people will live in cities.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a great effect in regard to food security in Malaysia, primarily the rising food prices. This has been especially so for urban communities, in terms of healthy and affordable meals. With more Malaysians living in cities, there is a greater need for new ways to farm.
Urban farming is seen as a comprehensive approach that not only produces wholesome and nutrient-dense food crops but also offers the chance to advance social integration, environmental sustainability and economic development.
Under the National Economic Recovery Plan (Pakej Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara - PEJANA) initiative, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has reserved RM10 million to be disbursed to 800 localities and 12,000 new participants adopting the urban farming initiative.
Vertical farming is one method of producing food in cities. Vertical farming is a very broad topic with many different methods and systems available. Each technique has its own set of advantages, disadvantages, needs and limitations.
The variation in location, available building materials, and climatic conditions potentially impact the development of several techniques that allow the installation of gardens in height and shape.
While this technology has a long way to go before it can effectively compete with conventional agriculture, it is a revolutionary technology worth investing in.
One advantage is the higher output as compared with traditional farming. Furthermore, the benefits include the elimination of soil-borne pests and most abiotic pressures, such as environmental influences caused by weather. There is no need for ploughing and sowing too, which require a large amount of fuel.
The method's limitations include the complexity of creating vertical farming as well as the high operational and maintenance costs.
Among the most well-known include the Sunway X Farms, Subang Jaya; CityFarm, Seri Kembangan; Farmy Vertical Farms, Petaling Jaya; Agroz Indoor Vertical Farm, Sungai Buloh;"Kebun by Amboi", Puchong; "City Roof Top Farm", I-City, Shah Alam; "Babylon Vertical Farms", Petaling Jaya; "Urban Hijau", Taman Tun Dr Ismail; "Cultiveat", Subang Jaya; "U Need Farm", Puchong; "The Vegetable.co", Kuala Lumpur; "Green Bugs Farm", Petaling Jaya; "E-Farm", Kuala Lumpur; "Boomgrow Farm", Taman Tun Dr Ismail; "Vegetory", Puchong; "Farmy Vertical Farm", Petaling Jaya and "Aquaville Urban Farm", Kuala Lumpur.
By studying the consumer acceptance of vertical farming within the Klang Valley, research reveals that consumers' motivation to purchase vertical farming products or systems depend heavily on the scale, systems and product usefulness. Consumers tend to view vertical farming systems and vegetables and fruits produced as an enrichment to their lifestyle.
The success of vertical farming projects in the Klang Valley heavily relies on the purchasing trend in retail settings. Although there is less accessible agricultural land in the city and it would be challenging to feed the entire population of a metropolis like the Klang Valley, a multi-approach adoption of vertical farming at retail outlets is a viable solution for businesses and customers.
More companies and retail outlets can also consider giving customers direct choices when it comes to how they eat. "Farm to table" restaurants, vertical farming systems with fresh produce at retail stores, malls, supermarkets, and grocery stores are one strategy that can raise further public awareness about the benefits of this technology.
Consumers in the Klang Valley also find operating small-scale vertical home farms challenging. Hence, businesses that sell vertical farming systems would benefit from focusing their marketing and communication strategies on how the vertical farming system would enrich their performance and lifestyle and the user-friendliness of the system itself.
In conclusion, the widespread adoption of innovative agricultural technologies such as vertical farming will need the collaboration of several parties. These entities include corporate executives, investors, government officials, farmers, and leaders of non-governmental organisations.
* The writers are from the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya