Freight Farm enables crops to be grown from inside of shipping containers. The start-up behind this project implemented a hydroponic system called 'The Leafy Green Machine,' which transforms the container's vessels into mobile farming units through a hi-tech growing process. The compact containers can allegedly grow the equivalent of a two-acre plot of land. Botanical seeds are planted and grown with the help of embedded LED lights. Once sprouting begins, vertical hydroponic planters feed the plants with nutrient-rich water.
The seedlings are controlled and monitored through an accompanied smartphone app, Farmhand, which remotely controls lighting, temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels. Freight Farms are advantageous, as weather or climate-related factors have no impact on a plant's ability to grow. Through this system, Freight Farms allows vegetation to thrive in any location, at any time.
Crop-Growing Shipping Containers
Freight Farm Grows the Equivalent of Two Acres of Farm Land
Trend Themes
1. Hydroponic Farming - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop and implement hydroponic systems for efficient and controlled crop production in limited spaces.
2. Smart Farming Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create advanced technological solutions that enable remote monitoring and control of various growth factors to optimize crop yields.
3. Vertical Farming - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design vertical farming structures that maximize space utilization and allow for year-round crop cultivation in urban areas.
Industry Implications
1. Agriculture - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate hydroponics, smart farming technology, and vertical farming techniques to revolutionize traditional agricultural practices.
2. Shipping and Logistics - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop efficient shipping container designs and logistics solutions tailored for transporting hydroponic farming systems to different locations.
3. Technology/software Development - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Build and optimize software platforms for remote monitoring and control of hydroponic farming systems, enabling efficient and precision agriculture.