Container farms are a type of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) that uses shipping containers to grow plants. CEA is a method of agriculture that uses technology to control the growing environment, such as temperature, humidity, and light. Container farms are becoming increasingly popular as they offer a number of advantages over traditional agriculture.
Advantages of container farms:
- Compact footprint: Container farms can be set up in small spaces, such as urban areas or rooftops. This makes them ideal for growing food in areas where there is limited land available.
- Year-round growing: Container farms can be used to grow food year-round, regardless of the climate outside. This is because the growing environment inside the container is controlled.
- Reduced water usage: Container farms use less water than traditional agriculture, as the water is recycled and reused.
- Reduced pesticide use: Container farms are less susceptible to pests and diseases than traditional agriculture, so there is less need to use pesticides.
- Increased yields: Container farms can produce higher yields per square foot than traditional agriculture.
Disadvantages of container farms:
- High startup costs: Container farms can be expensive to set up, as the cost of the containers and the equipment needed to control the growing environment can be high.
- High operational costs: Container farms can also be expensive to operate, as they require a lot of energy to power the lighting and climate control systems.
- Space limitations: Container farms are limited by the size of the container. This can make it difficult to grow a wide variety of crops or to produce large quantities of food.
- Technical expertise required: Container farms require a certain level of technical expertise to operate effectively. This can be a challenge for farmers who are new to CEA.
Overall, container farms offer a number of advantages over traditional agriculture. However, it is important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to start a container farm.
Here are some additional things to consider:
- Location: Container farms can be set up in a variety of locations, but it is important to choose a location that has access to water, electricity, and transportation.
- Crops: When choosing crops to grow in a container farm, it is important to consider the size of the container and the climate control capabilities.
- Equipment: Container farms require a variety of equipment, such as lighting, heating, and cooling systems. It is important to budget for the cost of this equipment.
- Labor: Container farms require less labor than traditional agriculture, but some labor is still required for tasks such as planting, harvesting, and maintenance.
If you are considering starting a container farm, it is important to do your research and develop a business plan. You should also consult with experienced container farm operators to learn more about the challenges and rewards of container farming. The use of shipping containers for agricultural purposes has been on the rise in recent years. Grow Box Central, Freight Farms, and Growtainer are just a few of the companies that have made it possible to purchase turnkey, container-based hydroponic vertical farming systems.
Because of their convenient size and numerous uses, these units are in high demand from businesses and organizations of all sizes around the world. While the idea of farming in shipping containers appeals to many would-be indoor farmers, that doesn’t mean it’s simple.
Helping Out and Setting Realistic Goals
There has been a recent uptick in the use of containers for agricultural purposes. In contrast to other forms of indoor farming, however, it has one of the highest failure rates. If farming in shipping containers seems so promising, why do so many fail?
Unrealistic expectations about what is involved in running a container farm contribute to the issue. Many professionals in the field believe that more information about the pros and cons of using shipping containers for farms would be helpful in addressing this issue. That way, farmers who opt for such a structure can do so knowing all their options.
Benefits
One of the obvious benefits of a farm constructed inside a shipping container is that it can be moved from place to place with relative ease. Producing container farms anywhere with favorable economic conditions enables shipping to customers anywhere in the world. Millions of shipping containers are already in existence, so they can be used immediately. That’s why most shipping companies will sell you a used container for a decent price even if it no longer serves its original purpose.
Competing on the basis of value — The container farm industry is seeing an influx of value-added players. More farmers will be able to enter the market if container costs are reduced due to increased competition. As a result, there will be more locally grown food available.
Benefit #1: It’s not necessary to have a large plot of land or a specialized building to begin operating a container farm. A container farm can be placed almost anywhere, like in the back of a restaurant or a campus parking lot, because of its small footprint and independence. This paves the way for delivering farm-fresh fare to places where it may be difficult to cultivate crops. Growing food in containers can also drastically shorten the time it takes to get from the farm to the table. This is a big draw for people who want to start farming and are considering a container farm.
Drawbacks
Forms not originally suited to function Nearly all the drawbacks of container farming stem from one fundamental issue. That’s because growing food wasn’t one of the original uses for shipping containers. This fundamental disjuncture between appearance and performance results in several problems that can be detrimental to farmers. The success of any indoor farm depends on having reliable climate control systems set up. Tools can control variables like humidity, airflow, carbon dioxide, and temperature. These tools are essential for successful farming, but they are not always available or optimized the way they would be in a farm designed specifically for the purpose.
For instance, in order for crops to flourish in container farms, powerful lighting is required. Unfortunately, there is usually not enough room for the air conditioning and heating systems required to handle the additional heat generated by these lights.
- Not always user-friendly — If plants weren’t intended to grow in shipping containers, neither were humans. This can make it challenging for container farmers to provide safe and comfortable working conditions for their employees.
- No farm worker would ever choose to spend their time in a small, confined area for dozens of hours per week. This occurs more frequently than one might expect in newly established container farming operations without a more carefully considered layout.
- Improper allocation of funds between capital expenditures and operating costs is a common problem in the container farming industry. The lower the initial investment (capital expenditures), the higher the operating costs will be (operational expenses).
This is especially true for farms that utilize shipping containers. Costs associated with maintaining an efficient farming operation may skyrocket if the building poses too many limitations. However, the low entry barrier to container farming is a major selling point for many first-time farmers (compared with other types of indoor facilities). As a result, they might not set aside enough money to cover the increased cost of operations.