We think so, which is why since 2015 we have been an active investor in AeroFarms, the commercial leader in fully-controlled indoor vertical farming, growing – year-round – hundreds of unique varieties of leafy greens and herbs including arugula, kale and watercress with a minimal environmental impact and virtually zero risk to food safety. 

In recent years, more extreme weather events are threatening traditional farming methods meaning vertical farms will become a critical solution for a climate changed world. Only a small number of companies can scale to meet this challenge – we believe AeroFarms is one of those few.

Its patented aeroponic technology where plant roots grow soil free and are misted with nutrients, water, and oxygen, use no pesticides and up to 95% less water than field farming. Smart LED lights create a specific light recipe for each plant, giving them exactly the spectrum, intensity and frequency they need to optimise photosynthesis in an energy-efficient way. 

This allows farmers control over size, shape, texture, colour, flavour, and nutrition with razor-sharp precision and increased productivity. AeroFarms innovates in seed genetics, through a combination of the latest sensing technologies and data science, as well as tools such as machine vision and AI. This approach enables the company to grow plants in half the time of traditional outdoor methods.

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