At the 2023 edition of medFEL, Futura Gaïa was present at the Lab’innov innovation space reserved for startups involved in the challenges of tomorrow. This innovative company specializes in automated vertical cultivation on soil, in a system that is cylindrical in shape. “The plants turn around the lamp, which allows water to drip directly on the roots of the crops, thanks to gravity,” explains Cyril Hugon, commitment director of Futura Gaïa.
This system, which complements open field and greenhouse farming, offers producers a turnkey solution to increase production while saving natural resources. “The system has many advantages. First of all, our farms consume very little water, a resource that is becoming increasingly scarce. Moreover, cultivation in a controlled environment makes it possible to do without phytosanitary products, and it also ensures a regular income for the producers who can commit to their production and free themselves of the climatic hazards that impact the harvests. Another advantage of our cylindrical farms is that they allow producers not to use arable land. We usually set them up in buildings that are not in use, which allows us to optimize the productive space on a farm.”
It is therefore possible to grow leafy vegetables, herbs, small fruits, small vegetables, and even flowers with these vertical farms. As for the energy consumption necessary for the operation of the farms, Futura Gaïa makes it a point of honor to be as virtuous as possible. The company has also raised 11 million euros [12 million USD] of funds to strengthen its agronomic and technological research and development capabilities and to install its first industrial-scale vertical farm.
For more information:
Cyril Hugon, commitment director
Futura Gaïa
cyril.hugon@futuragaïa.com