Farm4Future

Background

At Farm4Future, we aim to minimize resource consumption and maximize recycling. By recirculating water, recovering nutrients, and utilizing carbon dioxide as a resource for plant growth, we work toward a nearly self-sustaining production cycle. This allows us to grow vegetables using only a fraction of the water required in traditional agriculture, without compromising quality.

Our research focuses on creating the optimal conditions for plants to thrive. We investigate how light, temperature, nutrients, and carbon dioxide affect growth and continuously refine these factors to achieve maximum yields with minimal resource use. Using advanced sensors and digital technology, we monitor and adjust the growing environment in real time.

In a world facing climate change, population growth, and global supply chain challenges, finding new ways to produce food locally is more critical than ever. Farm4Future demonstrates that fresh, high-quality vegetables can be cultivated year-round, regardless of weather or season. Our work paves the way for a resource-efficient and sustainable food system while strengthening Sweden’s preparedness to tackle future challenges.

Farm4Future is more than just a research project – it’s a step toward a greener, more sustainable future for everyone.

Primary purpose

The primary purpose of Farm4Future is to develop resource-efficient and sustainable methods for growing vegetables indoors through vertical farming. By optimizing water use, recycling nutrients and carbon dioxide, and creating an efficient, self-sustaining production cycle, the project aims to strengthen Sweden's food security while reducing the environmental impact of food production.

Project objectives

The overarching goal of the project is to create a sustainable model for indoor farming that minimizes resource consumption and closes the loop for water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide. We aim to develop efficient cultivation systems that optimize light, temperature, and plant nutrition to maximize yields with minimal environmental impact. The objective is to contribute to a resilient and localized food supply in Sweden while serving as a benchmark for climate-smart food production in the future.

Activities in the project

Farm4Future consists of many different activities, who all together paves the way for a resource-efficient and sustainable food system while strengthening Sweden’s preparedness to tackle future challenges.

1. Development of Cultivation Systems
   
2. Designing and implementing vertical farming systems that maximize space efficiency and enable effective resource management.
   
3. Optimization of Cultivation Parameters
4. Researching how light, temperature, nutrients, and carbon dioxide levels affect plant growth.
5. Testing and adjusting cultivation strategies to achieve maximum productivity.
6. Recycling and Resource Management
7. Recirculating water to minimize consumption.
8. Recovering nutrients frto create a closed nutrient cycle.
9. Capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide to enhance plant growth.
10. Use of Sensors and Digital Tools
11. Installing advanced sensors for real-time monitoring of the cultivation environment.
12. Developing digital systems for data collection and automated control of cultivation parameters.
13. Testing Various Crops
14. Experimenting with different types of vegetables to identify the most suitable crops for vertical farming.
15. Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration
16. Sharing results with the research community, public, growers, and policymakers.
17. Collaborating with companies and organizations to implement the findings in practical applications.