Farmland is stupidly expensive. The equipment and inputs (fertilizer, fuel) are stupidly expensive. Growing outside, you are forever at the whims of the weather rather than being able to control each detail of production. Fields inevitably have parts that have variable soil and water conditions. When you look at what a country like the Netherlands has done with greenhouse growing, it's pretty compelling. Was AppHarvest the answer? Apparently not, but that doesn't negate that there are indoor models that work.
For some context on the scale of what's going on in the netherlands, see this article for some lovely photos[0]
Mind that these aren't startups either. These are old companies making money. My grandfather used to talk about working in greenhouses exactly like these.
Which indoor models work? They might be viable for boutique produce that is highly perishable. But the notion that this could ever work for bulk staple crops is just stupid.
It’s the opposite of compelling. The fact the tech and knowledge is well established but not widely used means it’s less profitable and not competitive with traditional farming except in exceptional circumstances
poulsbohemian|9 months ago
Doxin|9 months ago
Mind that these aren't startups either. These are old companies making money. My grandfather used to talk about working in greenhouses exactly like these.
[0] https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/glowing-dutch-greenhou...
nradov|9 months ago
Farmland isn't that expensive.
99_00|9 months ago
bryanrasmussen|9 months ago
99_00|9 months ago