The Sweet Future of Vertical Farming | Hiroki Koga | TED

Summary

This inspiring presentation highlights the innovation of vertical farming, with a focus on growing strawberries. The speaker, a Japanese entrepreneur, discusses how vertical farming technology can overcome challenges such as extreme weather, pesticide use, and water scarcity. They share their journey from disappointment with the taste of US-grown produce to developing a solution that can grow high-quality, pesticide-free strawberries anywhere. By using AI, robotics, and even sober bees for pollination, their technology has revolutionized farming efficiency, showing that vertical farming is not just a futuristic concept but a solution already shaping a sustainable future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker highlights the extraordinary sweetness of a strawberry that is up to three times sweeter than regular ones, reminiscent of the strawberries from Japan.
• 😀 In Japan, strawberries are highly valued and are often associated with special celebrations like holidays and anniversaries.
• 😀 Vertical farming technology has made it possible to grow high-quality Japanese strawberries anywhere in the world, despite the climate differences.
• 😀 The speaker shares the personal story of being disappointed by the flavor of American strawberries after moving to the U.S. and realizing there was an opportunity to improve quality.
• 😀 In 2017, the speaker and their partner started a vertical farm despite being non-engineers, driven by the desire to solve global agricultural problems like climate change and pesticide use.
• 😀 Vertical farms offer benefits like no need for pesticides, water recycling, and no dependency on arable land, making them a more sustainable option for agriculture.
• 😀 While vertical farms are initially more expensive, they can become cheaper over time due to rapid innovation and technological advancements.
• 😀 The use of controlled environments in vertical farms allows for experiments to be conducted year-round, which would take traditional farms centuries to achieve similar results.
• 😀 Vertical farms have developed solutions for bee pollination, overcoming the challenge of getting bees to work in sunless indoor environments, achieving a 95% pollination success rate.
• 😀 With AI-powered robots, the vertical farm can optimize the picking process, increase efficiency, and extend the lifespan of strawberry plants, enabling them to produce fruit year-round.
• 😀 Vertical farming technology is not just for strawberries; it can be applied to a wide variety of crops, marking a transformative change in agriculture towards sustainability and efficiency.

Q & A

What is the main idea of the speaker's experience with strawberries?

The speaker shares their experience of growing up in Japan with high-quality strawberries, which they found to be a symbol of celebration. The main idea is that vertical farming technology is making it possible to grow these premium strawberries globally.

Why are strawberries considered special in Japanese culture?

In Japanese culture, strawberries are considered the 'king of fruits' and are often associated with special occasions like holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries. They are always sold by their specific varietal names, such as Amaou, Benni Hoppe, and Tochiotome.

What challenge did the speaker face with strawberries in the US?

The speaker was disappointed by the taste of strawberries in the US, which they described as tasteless, like cucumbers, due to the mass production methods that prioritize size and appearance over flavor.

How did the speaker and their partner approach the challenge of vertical farming?

The speaker and their partner, both MBA graduates with no engineering background, decided to tackle the challenge of vertical farming by building their first farm in 2017. Despite their lack of technical expertise, they were determined to solve the problems facing the global agricultural system.

What global agricultural problems does vertical farming aim to solve?

Vertical farming aims to address issues such as extreme weather, water scarcity, lack of arable land, overuse of pesticides, and labor shortages, which contribute to the rising costs of global agricultural production.

How does vertical farming help with sustainability?

Vertical farming reduces the need for pesticides, recycles most of the water used, and eliminates the need for arable land. These methods make the farming process more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

What is the significance of the cost reduction of strawberries from $50 to $10 in five years?

The reduction in cost from $50 to $10 per pack of strawberries in just five years highlights the rapid progress made in vertical farming. It demonstrates that vertical farming, despite initial costs, can become much more affordable and competitive compared to conventional farming.

What technological advancements allowed vertical farming to succeed?

Key technological advancements in vertical farming include innovations in AI, robotics, and bee pollination. These technologies help optimize the farming process, increase productivity, and overcome challenges such as pollination and plant health.

How did the speaker solve the issue of pollination in vertical farming?

The speaker and their team solved the pollination problem by working with apiologists and experimenting for two years. They successfully developed a system with sober bees that achieve a pollination success rate of over 95%, significantly improving efficiency.

What are the benefits of using AI and robots in vertical farming?

AI and robots in vertical farming allow for real-time monitoring of plant health, yield, and pollination needs. Robots can also autonomously pick ripe strawberries 24/7, contributing to higher efficiency and continuous production.