Efficient vertical farming: the role of operations management models and research opportunities

Vertical farming, a relatively recent development in agriculture, introduces innovative methods for stable and localized food production within controlled, constrained settings, thereby distinguishing it from traditional farming methods.
On one hand, this strategy holds substantial promise for enhancing sustainability and efficiency through the conservation of water, optimization of land use, localized production and distribution of food, increased output in limited spaces, and sustainable production practices.
On the other hand, operations management, which is essential for efficiency in organizations and supply chains, includes methodologies that enhance performance at strategic, tactical, and operational levels.
Central to this domain are decision-support mathematical models aimed at optimizing supply chain processes including supply, production, control, storage, distribution, and more.
These models focus on goals like maximizing profitability, reducing production time, lowering carbon emissions, minimizing transportation, improving product quality, reducing waste, increasing resource efficiency, and aligning supply with demand, among others.
However, due to the relative novelty of vertical farming and its unique characteristics in supply and value chain, there is a notable lack of research on adapting current operations management models and creating new ones for this context.
Given the unique aspects of vertical farming processes, this study explores and suggests potential pathways for developing specialized operations management models that cater to the specific requirements and constraints of vertical farming systems to boost operational efficiencies and support sustainable growth in this sector.
This includes creating frameworks that integrate the distinct needs of vertical farming, ensuring that these models optimize resource use and production in alignment with sustainable farming practices.
This study, through a literature review, aims to bridge the gap between traditional operations management techniques and the distinct challenges of vertical farming, laying the foundation for future advances in agricultural management.

EHC2024: International Symposium on Urban Horticulture: from Vertical Farming to Planting Design

S. Alikhah, M. Sharifyazdi, A. Rudi, F. Schultmann

vertical farming, operations management, operations research, supply chain optimization, decision-support models, strategic planning, tactical planning, operational planning, sustainable agriculture, literature review

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1441.1