Over a decade ago I worked with a web developer in rural India who was offline for six hours each day because the electricity on which he depended was diverted to local farmers for their irrigation pumps. Although India has made significant advances since then, the lack of electricity infrastructure in India continues to be one of the factors that has prevented high-tech vertical farming deployment to date, but this is set to change.
Vertical Future – the global vertical farming technology and data company, based in London, has partnered with MODI FRESH, an India-based retail brand, founded by the Modi Group. The partnership will see a joint venture established by the two entities that will develop, construct, own, and operate large-scale advanced vertical farming production facilities close to key population centres across India.
India is a country that is rich in agriculture but presents some of the biggest challenges and opportunities for the vertical farming and broader controlled-environment-agriculture (CEA) sectors. There are already many hydroponic growers across India, however the market has not yet been able to benefit from the creativity, technological and plant science innovations and crop algorithms that a company like Vertical Future can offer.
The new partnership will offer technology and production support to worthy and willing Indian growers. It will also result in a significant amount of scientific research and knowledge exchange focused on growing indigenous ‘staple’ crop varieties in Vertical Future’s systems. Typical Indian crops include rice, wheat, maize, millets, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, jute, tea, coffee, spices, and fruits.
MODI FRESH will be responsible for developing its consumer-facing brand as well as leveraging its knowledge of the Indian market to deliver access to local contractors and vendors, as well as addressing regulatory approvals.
Meeting the demand for food in challenging environments
In the past year, Vertical Future has been strengthening its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and this new partnership expands beyond this, into a key market that experiences similar challenges with food and water security, directly linked to climate change.
India is a challenging market due to its size, population distribution, climate, and vertical farming solutions as well as leading crop science will both prove vital in supporting and stabilising the fast-growing region’s future food and water security.
Vertical Future’s business model, technology, and know-how makes them a sustainable and scalable complement to support traditional and greenhouse farming solutions. Their proprietary advanced vertical farming hardware and software systems allow for the creation and delivery of different growing algorithms, which are tailored to the specifics needs of a broad variety of crops, increasing productivity, maximising quality and output, reducing waste, and importantly, minimising water and energy inputs per KG of produce grown. Water consumption, for example, can be as much as 98% less when compared to traditional farming; and the complete exclusion of harmful pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides results in healthier produce for end consumers. All the features of Vertical Future’s systems are key for a market like India.
Co-founder and CEO of Vertical Future, Jamie Burrows, said: “This partnership with MODI FRESH is a further showcase of Vertical Future’s global presence and recognitions of innovation in the sector, especially considering the challenging conditions that India presents for vertical farming. Working with the Modi Group, we are excited to bring our vision for the future of agriculture to one of the world’s leading farming nations. In the coming decades, India faces a huge challenge from climate change, and its vibrant and educated population also present a huge opportunity – we are pleased to be able to play a part in the country’s sustainable growth in agritech segment.”
A spokesperson from the Modi Group concluded “Our decades of experience in many industries have shown us the importance of sustainability. India is a nation rich in agriculture, but it also faces many challenges – from energy stability through to crop quality. Working with Vertical Future – a leader in the global vertical farming industry – will help MODI FRESH to reach our end goals faster and more efficiently. I’m very confident in Vertical Future and everything that Jamie and his team have built.”
Vertical farming in India offers a promising solution to address urbanisation, limited land availability, and food security challenges. With the right support, infrastructure, and technological advancements, vertical farming has the potential to revolutionise agriculture in India by providing year-round, resource-efficient, and locally grown produce.
