Business out of vertical farming: Is it possible?
Kurumaa, Niko (2021)
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021052310541
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021052310541
Tiivistelmä
World needs to produce about 60 per cent more food in year 2050 compared to present
time. At the same time when need for food is increasing tremendously, arable agricultural
land area is diminishing. Applying new technologies can help facing the challenges and vertical farming is one solution on the way towards more sustainable food production.
Vertical farming is still relatively little researched subject, especially from the view of economic feasibility. Purpose of the thesis is to bring understanding about key-factors that effect viability and economic feasibility of vertical farming operation.
The theory of vertical farming and certain economical key performance indicators create
the theoretical framework of the thesis. In the study, both qualitative and quantitative
methods were used. Study was performed party as a literature review and partly as a case study. In the literature review, overall picture was generated and in the case study, business case based on Netled’s Vera vertical farming technology was created.
The main result of the study was that it is possible to create an economically feasible vertical farming business case. Market environment and its opportunities and technological choices are the main things which effect to viability and feasibility of vertical farming business.
As a conclusion, it can be stated that future vertical farmers need to have a clear understanding about market environment, operational costs and financial markets to become successful operators. They also need to make right technical choices to have viable base for economically feasible vertical farming business. Vera vertical farming technology can be considered as a very viable base for successful business.
time. At the same time when need for food is increasing tremendously, arable agricultural
land area is diminishing. Applying new technologies can help facing the challenges and vertical farming is one solution on the way towards more sustainable food production.
Vertical farming is still relatively little researched subject, especially from the view of economic feasibility. Purpose of the thesis is to bring understanding about key-factors that effect viability and economic feasibility of vertical farming operation.
The theory of vertical farming and certain economical key performance indicators create
the theoretical framework of the thesis. In the study, both qualitative and quantitative
methods were used. Study was performed party as a literature review and partly as a case study. In the literature review, overall picture was generated and in the case study, business case based on Netled’s Vera vertical farming technology was created.
The main result of the study was that it is possible to create an economically feasible vertical farming business case. Market environment and its opportunities and technological choices are the main things which effect to viability and feasibility of vertical farming business.
As a conclusion, it can be stated that future vertical farmers need to have a clear understanding about market environment, operational costs and financial markets to become successful operators. They also need to make right technical choices to have viable base for economically feasible vertical farming business. Vera vertical farming technology can be considered as a very viable base for successful business.