ImgSrc:Aeroponic,Aquaponic & Hydroponic vertical

Vertical farming known as Urban farming is a good method that zambian vegetable farmers can use to increase the production level of vegetables.

Vertical farming is a specific method developed to produce fruits and vegetables in vertically inclined surfaces, while most farming methods focus on producing foods at a ground level. This farming method is well-established in countries like Japan.

The most vegetable farmers in zambia are using the traditional farming method known as gardering farming in cultivating popular vegetables like rape, chinese cabbage, carrots and cabbage. This is where farmers employ very little infrastructural capital that is not more than a few tools like spade, hoe, basket and watering can in cultivating the process of vegetables, and these methods are the norm.

Zambia has high population growth where its current population in 2021 is 18,920,651, a 2.92% increase from 18,383,955 population in 2020. Thus, it is important to plan innovating before the problem arises since this farming method can be done in small , enclosed spaces and less land.

Vertical farming uses the other good structure called repurposed warehouses which can help the production of vegetables to become cost-effective due to the reduction of labor requirements. It uses suitable structures like skyscraper structures which grow produce indoors without soil in stacked racks that have been touted.

Vertical farming also uses shipping container structure, which are some created containers suited for growing greens by using a fraction of the natural resources that would usually be required like the leafy green machine which is easy to use without even experience. This method does not need pesticides or herbicides, it can provide a stable vegetable source unaffected by seasonal patterns and still produce more and good quality vegetables.

Even if Zambia has got abundant arable land that is un utilised, the vertical farming is more beneficial to the farmers. Because even if the costs of vertical farming are higher than those for traditional farming, through vertical farming methods, a farmer can get a high return on their investment compared to traditional farming. Meaning that the traditional farming might seem to be cheaper by capital spent but vertical farming is cheaper by the cost per unit of produce grown.

Zambia can draw lessons from

● Kenya in Nairobi city also used this method to secure food during the riot in 2007 and 2008 according to New internationalist

● Uganda also has adopted this technique as its population in Kampala's capital is now over 1.5 million people and land is scarce. Its populations are exploding in urban areas using a technique called "vertical farming"too.

● In Singapore, about 800kg of various vegetables are produced daily including chinese cabbage through the use of this method.

The implementation of vertical farming has some challenges especially in Africa for example unreliable sources of energy and water. Even the cost of starting up is higher.

By establishing partnerships of government, universities, the private sectors, research institutions and civil societies, Zambia can overcome those obstacles.