As wheat prices continue to surge amid a deepening conflict in Ukraine, lasting damage threatens an already weakened global food system. Governments must urgently prioritise food security through championing indoor vertical farming as a sustainable, long-term solution.

As grain supplies are impacted, as well as disruption to natural gas and fertiliser markets, a lack of bread is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of their impact. Increased hunger, an escalating refugee crisis, soaring prices and climate change now pose much bigger threats, which some would argue are bordering on catastrophic.

The International Food Policy Research Institute estimates that combined, Russia and Ukraine exports represent 12 percent of all the food calories traded in the world, with the two countries accounting for almost a third of global wheat exports. There is no current contingency plan to bridge what amounts to a colossal gap in international food production.

What this equates to is an urgent need for a rethink on food – to find an alternative method of farming to reduce reliance on the way this vital global commodity is sourced. While indoor vertical farming is predominantly used to grow increasing varieties of leafy greens, salad and fruit crops, can this sustainable growing method change the world’s ability to grow wheat? In short, there is at least one AgTech industry expert who thinks so.

Simon Deacon, CEO and founder at LST says,

“Although more needs to be done until indoor wheat farming becomes the norm, there have been some encouraging signs in proving that this is a viable, sustainable method that can help solve some of these major issues we’re currently facing with wheat shortages”

A recent study modelled wheat growth in a 10-layer, indoor vertical farm. The study predicted that an indoor vertical farm could potentially produce an enormous annual hay yield of 1,940 tonnes – up to 600 times greater per hectare than current farming methods. And that’s not all – the study further predicted in a 100-layer farm there is the opportunity to produce a staggering 19,400 tonnes of hay per year.

“We are also harnessing the expertise of one of our plant scientists who as part of her PhD in Plant Physiology is specialising in wheat photosynthesis, identified as a key target for improving future wheat yields and is an important research area.

Overall, what this presents for the industry is a significant opportunity to not just establish a greater foothold in sustainable food production and food security for the long-term, but move towards a decentralised, localised food system through harnessing innovation in AgTech. It’s an urgent shift in thinking, one that needs to happen now.”

Light Science Technologies delivers lighting, science and research-proven plant monitoring technology and software in partnership with world-leading university research teams. We work across multiple indoor applications including vertical farming, greenhouses and medicinal plants, delivering the right solution no matter what environment. Our real time monitoring and control, links technicians, farmers, and facility managers with their crops to provide instant production enhancement data. Its full turnkey solution for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) applications for next-generation scalable farming helps customers grow more with less. For further information, visit: www.lightsciencetech.com.