Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the global leader in lighting, has announced a joint venture with Philips Horticulture LED Solutions, 80 Acres Farms, and Siemens to scale up vertical farming globally. This ambitious alliance seeks to address the critical global issue of feeding an ever-growing population while combating the unpredictable impacts of climate change.
“Vertical farming has the potential to revolutionize how we feed the world. It can offer sustainable, reliable food production, cultivated close to where it will be consumed,” says Ellis Janssen, Global Director of City Farming at Philips Horticulture LED Solutions.
Vertical farming, though a budding industry, promises to alleviate food shortages and foster a healthier lifestyle for consumers worldwide. This farming method requires systematic expansion and further technological advancements to successfully meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.
“To effectively scale up, we need to foster integrated farming systems with heightened standardization, automation, and digitization,” Janssen asserts. This collaboration, he emphasizes, will catalyze the required knowledge exchange and cooperation, which are essential for the growth and maturity of the vertical farming industry.
Ohio-based 80 Acres Farms, an early adopter and innovator in vertical farming, joined forces with Philips Horticulture LED Solutions in 2017. Together they have overcome challenges to make vertical farming both scalable and profitable.
“We believe in investing in long-term, collaborative relationships,” says Tisha Livingston, co-founder of 80 Acres Farms. Her company has expanded rapidly since 2016, introducing new crops and increasingly automated processes each year, powered by Philips Horticulture LED Solutions’ expertise in lighting and its impact on plants.
Yet, vertical farming faces other hurdles, including the need for digitization and automation, areas where many companies falter. This is where Siemens, a world-leading technology company, steps in.
With its extensive knowledge and experience across numerous industries, Siemens’ Xcelerator open data platform will provide the necessary technology for digitizing, automating, and standardizing vertical farming processes.
“Open ecosystems are vital to take the next steps towards autonomous farming,” says Rick Schneiders, Global Business Development for CEA at Siemens. He emphasizes that collaboration is the key to enhancing each other’s business models and creating intelligent, scalable systems.
The future of farming, as envisioned by this alliance, is a world where efficient and profitable vertical farming produces healthy food for millions. The collaboration between Signify, 80 Acres Farms, Philips Horticulture LED Solutions, and Siemens illustrates a promising future for vertical farming and its potential to contribute to global food security.
The coalition invites enterprises and individuals with relevant knowledge and expertise to join their mission to reimagine farming. They will showcase their advancements at GreenTech Amsterdam, booth 01.620, inviting attendees to join their journey towards a revolutionary future in farming.
Image provided by Signify
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