The "Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show" from November 12 to 15, 2024, in Hanover, Germany, will showcase innovative inhouse farming concepts with a focus on the future of food production. The event, organized by the German Agricultural Society (DLG),
Central to this event is Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), a technology-driven approach for indoor and vertical farming. CEA aims to enhance global value chains by making them more climate-resilient, sustainable, and efficient. Exhibitors will present solutions for indoor food and feed systems, aquaculture, algae, and insect farming. Parallel events include EuroTier, the leading trade fair for professional animal farming, and EnergyDecentral, the international platform for decentralized energy supply.
CEA represents a revolutionary approach to agriculture, allowing for the cultivation of crops such as lettuce, herbs, microgreens, and sprouts in controlled, closed systems. These systems are particularly valuable in urban areas where traditional agriculture is limited, meeting the high demand for consistently available, high-quality produce. According to Prof. Nils Borchard, Head of Research and Development at DLG, indoor and vertical farming technologies significantly boost productivity per unit area and offer environmental benefits such as reduced fertilizer and water use, decreased pesticide reliance, and shortened supply chains. However, the high initial investment and energy consumption are challenges that need to be addressed.
Optimized Growth Conditions
Vertical farms can be set up in diverse locations, from arid regions to urban centers, utilizing high-tech containers for year-round cultivation of plants for food and feed. Economic viability is crucial, with closed material cycles minimizing environmental impacts and renewable energy powering the systems. The 2024 show will feature detailed presentations on future cultivation and production systems, including hydroponics, aeroponics, and fogponics.
Cubes: Cutting-Edge CEA Technology
The Swiss Mabewo Group's "Cubes" containers illustrate the latest CEA technologies for optimizing plant growth and preventing pest infestations. These systems create ideal growth conditions through precise environmental control, enabling the harvest of up to 1.5 tonnes of fresh grass daily with a four-cube setup. Key to year-round production is the careful regulation of light intensity, air and water temperatures, pH values, humidity, CO2 levels, and nutrient solution conductivity.
Efficient Growth Chambers
Energy-efficient production systems and automation are fundamental to controlled environment agriculture. Exhibitors will highlight efficient lighting solutions, crucial for plant growth, along with complete automation processes for vertical farming. Systems for cooling, ventilation, dehumidification, controlled irrigation, lighting, and real-time monitoring will be showcased, emphasizing optimal plant nourishment and water use efficiency.
Fogponics: A Practical Application
Berlin-based Lite & Fog GmbH demonstrates practical fogponics systems, where plants grow on vertically mounted fabric tubes surrounded by a fine, nutrient-rich mist. This innovative approach, awarded the "DLG - Impulse Pitches: Inhouse Farming, Feed & Food Award," ensures optimal light exposure and nutrient supply, with future plans to expand system heights significantly.
Regional Phytopharmaceutical Production
Vertical farming's geographical and seasonal independence presents new supply chain opportunities, attracting interest from pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. These industries benefit from the controlled cultivation of medicinal plants, often sourced from overexploited wild stocks affected by climate change. The Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences is researching indoor cultivation and processing technologies for phytopharmaceuticals, aiming to simulate various climatic conditions in closed systems. Prof. Heike Mempel emphasizes the importance of consistent, high-quality plant raw materials for pharmaceutical applications, with LEDs providing optimal light throughout cultivation.
Algae: A Sustainable Solution
The "In house Farming - Feed & Food Show" will also explore alternative agricultural technologies, including algae cultivation, on November 13. Algae, which bind significantly more CO2 than land plants, hold potential for a climate-neutral circular economy. Companies like Puevit GmbH offer scalable systems for industrial microalgae production, capable of harvesting up to 100 kilograms of fresh algae from a two-kilometer pipe system in three days.
This comprehensive event will provide valuable insights into the future of sustainable food production, showcasing promising inhouse farming concepts and technologies.
