長文読解（人文系・自然科学系の文章）- 問題63

Urban vertical farming represents a revolutionary approach to agriculture that could transform how we produce food in the 21st century. By growing crops in vertically stacked layers within controlled indoor environments, this technology allows farmers to produce fresh vegetables year-round, regardless of weather conditions or seasonal limitations.
The advantages of vertical farming are numerous. First, it uses up to 95% less water than traditional agriculture through advanced hydroponic and aeroponic systems. Second, crops can be grown without pesticides or herbicides, resulting in cleaner, healthier produce. Third, vertical farms can be established in urban areas, significantly reducing transportation costs and carbon emissions associated with food distribution.
Despite these benefits, vertical farming faces significant challenges. The initial setup costs are extremely high, often requiring millions of dollars in investment. Additionally, the energy consumption for LED lighting systems is substantial, raising questions about long-term sustainability. Currently, most vertical farms focus on leafy greens and herbs, as larger crops like grains remain economically unfeasible.
As technology advances and costs decrease, experts predict that vertical farming will play an increasingly important role in feeding the world's growing urban population, potentially producing 30% of the world's vegetables by 2050.