Summary/Reader Response Draft 1
In the article “Sky Urban Vertical Farming System” (The Index
Project, n.d.), the Index Project conveys that the company Sky Greens uses the
world’s first hydraulic-driven vertical system. With a height of nine metres, rainwater
and gravity are utilised for the pulley system whereby a water pump pumps water
to an overhead water tank, rotating 38 trays of plants to receive ample
sunlight whilst watering them (The Index Project, n.d). Sky Greens emerged
victorious for the INDEX award in 2015, an international prestigious award
given to remarkable designs that improve lives. The Index Project reports
“Although the concept of vertical farming has been around for over a century,
very few have been able to master the technique like Singaporean company Sky
Greens” (The Index Project, n.d., para. 2). Sky Greens eliminates the use of
LED lights resulting in lower usage of electricity. Therefore, having “the
lowest possible negative effect on the environment” (Zaręba et al., 2021, para. 8.2). Such farms
will aid in Singapore’s plan of ‘30 by 30’, envisioning to “produce 30% of our
nutritional needs locally by the year 2030” (Ministry of Sustainability and the
Environment, 2023, Grow Local section, para. 6). Through the efficient use of
electricity and engineering in Sky Greens’ Hydraulic System, it will
significantly contribute to Singapore’s ’30 by 30’ goal.
Singapore is coined as a little red dot as it is an extremely
small country, located in South-East Asia, with a size of “710 square
kilometres” (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, n.d., About Singapore, para. 1). Due
to its dense population, Singapore is an urbanised country with eminent space
constraints. Henceforth, to achieve the goal of ’30 by 30’, there is a need to
construct farms that are capable of accomplishing more with less space. Sky
Greens’ Hydraulic System, which is able to fit 38 shelves in nine metres (The
Index Project, n.d), has a yield that is “five to ten times more vegetables” (Zaręba et al., 2021, para. 8.2) per acreage
than a traditional farming plot. This allows exceedingly more crop yield for a considerably
smaller space. Alongside the assembly of other indoor farms and rooftop gardens
in House & Development Board estates, shopping malls and office buildings,
these initiatives will produce an immensely high crop yield, assisting in
Singapore’s goal of ’30 by 30’.
With
Singapore importing the majority of its vegetables from countries such as
Malaysia, China and other neighbouring countries (Lim & Nirmal, 2010), it
leaves a substantial carbon footprint, leading to global warming. With Sky
Greens’ Hydraulic System producing crops locally while minimizing the usage of
electricity and water, this will remarkably reduce the carbon footprint, thus,
improving the earth’s sustainability. Based on a Research Article regarding the
utilisation of Rooftops for crop cultivation by lecturers from the National University of Singapore, it quotes
that “Rooftop farming, in combination of traditional farms, can therefore
satisfy some 35.5% of Singapore’s vegetable needs, a significant increase from
the 5% currently met” (Lim & Nirmal, 2010, p. 107). Thus, if 35.5% is
achievable just from rooftop farming and traditional farming, envision how much
more Singapore can achieve with the use of vertical farming.
However,
since Sky Greens’ Hydraulic System is not designed with a controlled
environment, without air-conditioning and LED lights, a concern is that not all
vegetables available in supermarkets could be planted in Singapore’s hot and
humid weather. Currently, Sky Greens grows vegetables such as Nai Bai, Cai Xin,
Xiao Bai Cai and Chinese Cabbage (Sky Greens, n.d.), which can withstand the
heat and humidity in Singapore. However, vegetables such as Broccoli and Kale
that thrive in cooler temperatures will be a challenge to grow (Baessler, 2021).
With companies such as Agency for Science, Technology and Research venturing
into hybrid lighting technologies, keeping ample lights for different crops,
this could be a game-changer for the future of farming in Singapore (Agency for
Science, Technology and Research, 2021). Thus, Sky Greens, with their prowess
in engineering, should be able to further their research and development
capabilities to overcome the weather limitations. With such technologies in
place, Sky Greens will be capable of catering a wider variety of vegetables
commonly appreciated by Singaporeans.
In conclusion, with Sky Greens’ Hydraulic System being one of the
fore-founder of vertical farming in Singapore (Zaręba et al., 2021), it is
unequalled with its yield of crops per acre whilst being energy and water
efficient. However, more can be done as it limits its own potential through the
lack of a controlled environment. Sky
Greens’ Hydraulic System can look into improving it system capabilities and
also work with other companies who share similar vision so that collectively, they
can continue innovating and increasing their effectiveness to move closer
towards Singapore’s goal of achieving ’30 by 30’.
References
Zaręba,
A., Krzemińska, A., & Kozik, R. (2021). Urban Vertical Farming as an
Example of Nature-Based Solutions Supporting a Healthy Society Living in the
Urban Environment; 10(11), 109.
https://doi.org/10.3390/resources10110109
Lim, Y. A., & Nirmal, T. K.
(2010). Building Integrated Agriculture: Utilising Rooftops for Sustainable
Food Crop Cultivation in Singapore. Journal of Green Building; 5(2), 105-113.
Baessler, L. (2021, April 04). Plants
That Grow In Cold Weather: Spring Planting Cold Season Crops. Gardening Know
How. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/spring-planting-crops.htm
Ministry of Sustainability and the
Environment. (2023, March 02). Speech by Senior Minister of State Dr Koh Poh
Koon – Food and Climate Resilience. https://www.mse.gov.sg/resource-room/category/2023-03-02-speech-by-sms-koh-poh-koon-at-cos-2023
Singapore Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. (n.d.). About Singapore. https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Overseas-Mission/Xiamen/About-Singapore
The
Index Project. (n.d.). Sky Urban Vertical Farming System: Vertical farms to
boost veggie output with minimum space. https://theindexproject.org/award/winnersandfinalists/the-sky-urban-vertical-farming-system
Sky
Greens. (n.d.). Sky Greens Vegetables: Sky Greens tropical leafy vegetables –
grown locally, freshly harvested daily.
https://www.skygreens.com/skygreens-vegetables/
Agency
for Science, Technology and Research. (2021, March 15). Sustainable Urban
Farming – Lighting Up Our Local Farms.
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