The Sweet Future of Vertical Farming | Hiroki Koga | TED

Strawberries and Vertical Farming: A New Era

The Sweetness of Strawberries

• Introduction to a special strawberry variety that is three times sweeter than regular strawberries, reminiscent of those from Japan.

• In Japanese culture, strawberries are celebrated during special occasions and have specific varietal names like Amaou and Tochiotome.

The Promise of Vertical Farming

• Announcement of the ability to grow these strawberries globally using vertical farming technology.

• Personal journey from Japan to the US in 2015, highlighting initial disappointment with the taste of American strawberries compared to Japanese ones.

Identifying Opportunities in Agriculture

• Recognition of a significant opportunity in growing high-quality fruits and vegetables in the US through vertical farming.

• Initial skepticism about vertical farms being too costly and only suitable for leafy greens due to pollination challenges.

Overcoming Challenges

• Founders' determination led them to build their first farm despite lacking engineering skills, facing physical dangers along the way.

• Discussion on global agricultural issues such as extreme weather, water scarcity, pesticide use, and labor shortages impacting production costs.

Benefits of Vertical Farms

• Vertical farms can address major agricultural problems by eliminating pesticides, recycling water, and not requiring arable land.

• Price reduction for strawberries over five years from $50 to $10 per pack indicates rapid progress towards affordability.

Innovation Through Controlled Environments

• Explanation of how vertical farms allow for faster innovation compared to traditional farming methods due to environmental control.

• Ability to conduct year-round experiments leads to significant increases in yield—five times more berries produced within five years.

Breakthrough Technologies

• Introduction of three major breakthroughs: bee pollination solutions, AI integration, and robotics in farming practices.

Innovations in Vertical Farming and Bee Pollination

Understanding the Challenges of Traditional Farming

• Approximately 60-70% of flowers do not become products due to various challenges faced by bees in traditional farming.

• Extensive research was conducted, including interviews with apiologists and hands-on observations on farms, to understand bee behavior and environmental factors affecting pollination.

Achievements in Vertical Farming Techniques

• The implementation of "sober bees" has led to a pollination success rate exceeding 95%, significantly improving yield compared to conventional methods.

• AI-powered technology is utilized for real-time monitoring of plant health and determining necessary bee activity for optimal pollination.

Automation and Efficiency Gains

• Automated robots are capable of detecting ripe berries and harvesting them continuously, enhancing productivity beyond traditional farming capabilities.

• Strawberry plants can now produce fruit year-round, resulting in four to five times more revenue per plant annually compared to conventional practices.

Economic Viability of Vertical Farms

• Despite outdoor farming appearing cheaper initially, vertical farms can achieve greater efficiencies through innovation, potentially making them more cost-effective as agricultural costs rise.

Current State of Vertical Farming Technology

• A repurposed plastic factory now operates as a solar-powered vertical farm that produces strawberries daily, showcasing the practical application of this technology.