Summary
This multidisciplinary review examines vertical farming systems (VFS) as a climate-resilient production pathway with potential advantages in pesticide elimination, water efficiency, and land use compared to conventional agriculture. Whilst VFS currently produce fruits, vegetables, and herbs successfully, the authors identify profitability, energy costs, limited crop diversity, and policy/consumer barriers as critical constraints to mainstream adoption. The paper argues that successful upscaling requires integrated advances across plant physiology, engineering, automation, environmental monitoring, and cross-institutional policy coordination.
Regional applicability
The findings are internationally applicable. In the United Kingdom context, vertical farming could address urban and peri-urban food security and reduce import dependence for fresh produce, but the high energy demands—particularly given reliance on fossil fuel-intensive grid electricity—present a significant barrier unless coupled with renewable energy systems. UK policy frameworks for controlled-environment horticulture and investment incentives will be critical to commercial viability.
Key measures
Pesticide and fertilizer emissions; land and water use; energy efficiency; crop diversity; system profitability; automation and control performance; consumer acceptance metrics
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on technical, economic, and systemic barriers to vertical farming adoption, including profitability, energy efficiency, crop diversity, and regulatory frameworks. It identifies key research and policy interventions needed to enable vertical farming to contribute meaningfully to resilient urban and peri-urban food systems.
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