The firm Research and Markets has released the report Vertical Farming Market, 2014-2025, which forecasts a global vertical farming market reaching $9.9 billion by 2025. The findings indicate that anticipated growth in the vertical crops market will be driven in part by Internet of Things (IoT) sensors that maximize agricultural yields, along with advances in LED lighting.
Analysis of information obtained from these IoT sensors, stored in the cloud, will improve automation in crop production. LED lighting, which can extend the availability of typical seasonal crops are also expected to advance on the marketplace over the forecast period. The LED lighting systems produce dual-band color spectrum and generate low heat, so they can extend the hours of the natural daylight to increase both growth rate and yield of plants.
In a prepared statement, Research and Markets said that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the environmental and health effects of pesticides currently used for increasing agricultural yields have encouraged consumer adoption of organic foods. The Organic Trade Association has indicated that the U.S. organic industry sales increased by 11 percent in 2015, due to increased investment in infrastructure and education.