RAS question
Vertical farming technology involves:
Correct answer: (B) Growing crops in stacked layers indoors with controlled environment.
Vertical farming means growing crops indoors in vertically stacked layers under a controlled environment, often using artificial light and soilless systems such as hydroponics or aquaponics.
Explanation
Vertical farming is not simply irrigation arranged vertically, farming on slopes, or cultivation of tall crops. The USDA Agricultural Research Service explains that, unlike conventional open-field farming in soil with natural sunlight and irrigation, vertical farming takes place inside, grows crops in stacked layers, and uses artificial growing systems such as hydroponics, aquaponics, or other soilless methods. This matches option B: stacked indoor production under controlled conditions. The controlled setting can support year-round cultivation of regional or seasonal crops, use much less land than open-field farming, and reduce exposure to extreme weather. Artificial lighting, temperature and humidity control, and reduced pesticide exposure are common features of this system.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Vertical irrigation describes a direction of water delivery, whereas vertical farming is defined by indoor stacked cultivation with controlled growing systems.
- (C) Growing crops on hills is terrain-based farming, not indoor production in stacked layers under controlled conditions.
- (D) Growing tall crops such as sugarcane refers to crop height, while vertical farming refers to the arrangement and controlled environment of cultivation.
Concept
This tests the Science and Technology concept of controlled-environment agriculture and modern farming systems. It recurs in RAS because agriculture, sustainability, land-use efficiency and technology-led production are frequent application areas in prelims questions.