In a world of extreme climate change, the traditional way of producing food is simply not enough to feed the world of the future. As less and less arable land is available, humans have to get creative with how we farm... and the Dutch may have a solution.
They've employed a tried and tested methodology to solve their food problems: Greenhouses!
The Netherlands is small, and densely populated. In spite of this, it is the second-largest exporter of food by value globally, second only to the United States which has a staggering 270 times its landmass, in part because of the high yield inside greenhouses.
Some incredible statistics - Greenhouses can shrink water use by 90%, yield 10 times larger than traditional farms, and cut the need for chemicals by 97%. The Dutch success has spurred entrepreneurs and startups around the globe to leverage this model to satisfy their respective local food needs.
In Part 2 of our Farms of the Future series, we dive into greenhouses/glasshouses; the highly productive form of indoor farming. Likewise, we discuss how new technological innovations and integrations into this age old farming technique are increasingly making it a viable and crucial tool in our fight against climate change!
Moreover, we talk to a seasoned "Glasshouse Grower" in the Netherlands to learn more about how this industry has changed over the years. Marcel Dings is the owner of Brookberries, a glasshouse that grows strawberries. Co-host Jed Tabernero was able to physically tour these glasshouses last summer.