Global lighting leader Philips Horticulture LED Solutions has announced a joint venture with 80 Acres Farms and Siemens to expand vertical farming on a global scale. This powerful collaboration aims to tackle the urgent global challenge of feeding a continuously growing population while simultaneously addressing the unpredictable impacts of climate change.
“Vertical farming has the potential to revolutionize global food production. It can provide sustainable and reliable local food sources, directly benefiting consumers,” says Ellis Janssen, the Global Director of City Farming at Philips Horticulture LED Solutions.
While vertical farming is a relatively new industry, it already promises to alleviate food shortages and promote healthier lifestyles worldwide. However, this farming method requires systematic improvements and further technological advancements to meet the demands of our rapidly growing population.
“To effectively scale vertical farming, we need to develop integrated agricultural systems with increased standardization and automation,” asserts Ellis Janssen. He emphasizes that the collaboration of several influential companies will drive knowledge sharing, which are crucial for the growth and development of indoors industry.
80 Acres Farms, located in Ohio (USA), is the pioneering manufacturer and innovator of vertical farming. Their partnership with Philips Horticulture LED Solutions in 2017 has resulted in significant success and made vertical cultivation scalable and profitable in just a few years.
“We believe that investing in long-term relationships will yield positive outcomes,” says Tisha Livingston, co-founder of 80 Acres Farms.
Since 2016, their company has experienced dynamic growth, introducing new technologies every year and automating processes with the help of Philips Horticulture LED Solutions‘ expertise in lighting.
However, vertical farming still faces challenges, particularly in automation and digitization, areas where many companies struggle. This is where Siemens, a world-renowned technology company, steps in to provide the necessary solutions. Siemens will contribute the required technologies to overcome complexities and advance the mass standardization of vertical agronomy processes.
The alliance formed by Philips Horticulture LED Solutions, 80 Acres Farms, and Siemens envisions a future of efficient and profitable vertical farming that produces healthy food for millions of people. This collaboration between technological giants represents a significant stride towards a future where hunger is no longer an issue, allowing humanity to focus on addressing other global challenges.
The coalition invites businesses and individuals with relevant knowledge and experience to join their mission of redefining and improving vertical growing. They will showcase their accomplishments at GreenTech Amsterdam, enabling visitors to join them on their journey into the revolutionary future of agriculture in a controlled environment.