Revolutionary agricultural technology for a sustainable future

It is undisputed that agricultural production plays a crucial role in the global food supply. However, climate change, dwindling resources, and rising population figures pose enormous challenges to this production. The need for sustainable production while conserving resources and avoiding transportation is a theme of the MABEWO group.

"Indoor farming represents a possible solution for sustainable agriculture," suggests Jörg Trübl, Environmental Engineer & Member of the Board of MABEWO. "This involves sowing, growing and harvesting plants under controlled conditions indoors."

The Swiss MABEWO group of companies is working to develop innovative indoor farming solutions with modular facilities for the production of salads, micro greens, mushrooms and herbs, which are operated and continuously optimized under the MABEWO brand Food & Energy Campus. "In 2021, the first indoor farming facility opened at the Food & Energy Campus in Gross-Gerau, Germany, providing fresh, healthy vegetables to local plates," says Trübl.

Advantages of indoor farming

"Indoor farming enables the year-round, reliable and efficient cultivation of plants using state-of-the-art technology as healthy food compared to conventional agriculture," says Trübl, who was Project Manager of MABEWO GREENTOCUBE. Plants grow protected in a confined space, reducing or eliminating the need for pesticides and other chemicals, and optimizing water and energy consumption. "The indoor farming systems are fully automated and modular to meet the needs for high-quality produce, variable expansion and minimal effort," adds Trübl. The MABEWO group of companies focuses on innovative and sustainable solutions by using clean electricity for crop production with the help of photovoltaic systems. Trübl points out that a higher crop yield is possible but above all else, production is independent of weather, season and location.

This opens up new opportunities for local food production, especially in urban areas. Trübl explains that strengthening regional and decentralized agricultural production is necessary to make proven agricultural structures fit for the future. It is about nothing less than empowering farmers. "However, no indoor farming mega-centers with several10,000m2 of cultivation area are to be built, but small to medium-sized facilities are to be integrated at the farmers' premises," Trübl says of the vision of the MABEWO group of companies.

Vertical modular plants of MABEWO AG

Production from the ground to several production heights – as a vertical modular plant allows to grow a multiple in closed-culture systems – is an innovative form of indoor farming. In this process, plants are grown in special modules, each of which has its own lighting, irrigation, and monitoring. "Through these technologies, large quantities of crops are produced in a small space – as fresh and healthy food directly onsite," says Trübl.

One advantage of the technology of MABEWO's indoor farms, is found in the highly effective hygiene concept, which makes pesticides superfluous and thus not only protects the plant world, but also nature. In addition, up to 90% water can be saved and no genetic engineering is used, which influences taste, size and growth. What is convincing is that the products are produced directly near the end consumer, thereby avoiding long transport routes and the associated emissions.

Sustainable future of agriculture

There is no question that agriculture must become more sustainable. "In view of the climate and energy crisis, this can only mean a rapid expansion or use of decentralized, renewable energies and an expansion of local food production," Trübl notes. New technologies and production systems, such as indoor farming, offer opportunities to ensure sustainable and future-proof food production. As an important contribution, with vertical modular systems, the transformation of agriculture will be enriched and continue to progress, Trübl is convinced. The European Union is also pursuing further independence from energy, food and fertilizer imports with the European Green Deal. Business groups such as MABEWO also see potential in the technology for use in emerging countries, where the supply of food is often still problematic. "The production of vegetables and fruit within large cities can contribute to self-sufficiency and improve waste disposal by producing biowaste and composting it."

Conclusion

MABEWO AG's technology shows that sustainable and future-proof food production is possible. With the vertical modular plant, plants can be efficiently grown in a small space, which promotes local food production and reduces transport costs and emissions. The technologies combined by the MABEWO group of companies thus offer a promising outlook for the future of agriculture.

For more information, visit the company's website oremail info@mabewo.com