長文読解（人文系・自然科学系の文章）- 問題10

Urban vertical farming represents a revolutionary approach to agriculture that addresses many challenges facing modern food production. By growing crops in vertically stacked layers within controlled indoor environments, this technology maximizes yield per square meter while minimizing water usage and eliminating the need for pesticides.
Recent studies indicate that vertical farms can produce up to 390 times more food per square meter than traditional farming methods. These facilities use LED lighting systems that can be precisely tuned to optimize plant growth, consuming 95% less water than conventional agriculture through hydroponic and aeroponic systems.
The technology also offers year-round production capabilities, independent of weather conditions and seasonal changes. Major cities like Singapore and Dubai have already implemented large-scale vertical farming projects to enhance food security and reduce dependence on food imports.
However, critics point out that the high energy consumption of LED lighting systems and the significant initial investment costs remain substantial barriers to widespread adoption of this technology.