Scotland’s first commercial vertical farm to be built

09/07/2020
Growth tray

EDINBURGH-based indoor agritech specialist IGS has announced the completion of a deal with Aberdeenshire vertical farming operator Vertegrow.

The four-tower system will be built on a 1,600m2 are on Vertegrow’s site at Waterside Farm.

This will provide approximately 1,343 m2 of growing space, producing up to 70 tonnes of produce per annum when fully operational, according to the companies.

The towers, which are expected to be operational in early 2021, will grow a variety of crops intended to service the local food supply chain.

This is the first move into vertical farming for Vertegrow, which currently grows crops including barley and rye in open fields.

Vertegrow was established through Steadman Partners, the UK-based private investment office set up by BrewDog co-founder Martin Dickie.

David Farquhar, IGS chief executive officer, said: “With proven experience in traditional farming, and extensive involvement, through its owners, in the food and drink sector, we are confident that this will bring a new and top-quality offering to the local market.

“Such re-localisation of the food supply chain is a feature of post-coronavirus planning we are seeing all over world.”

Graeme Warren, of Vertegrow commented: “Growing quality, nutritious food in North East Scotland will allow us to reduce food miles for our customers.

“Combined with our renewable energy sources and rainwater harvesting, the efficiency of the IGS system is a key part of our ambition to grow crops in a carbon neutral way. We look forward to continuing to work with IGS as we construct the facility later this year.”

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