長文読解（人文系・自然科学系の文章）- 問題98

The concept of urban vertical farming has emerged as a revolutionary approach to addressing food security in densely populated cities. This innovative agricultural method involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers within controlled indoor environments, typically in buildings or skyscrapers. By utilizing advanced technologies such as LED lighting systems, hydroponic cultivation, and automated climate control, vertical farms can produce fresh vegetables and herbs year-round, regardless of external weather conditions.
One of the most significant advantages of vertical farming is its efficiency in land use. A single vertical farm occupying just one acre of floor space can produce the equivalent yield of 10 to 20 acres of traditional farmland. Additionally, these facilities consume up to 95% less water than conventional agriculture through precise nutrient delivery systems. Major cities like Singapore, Tokyo, and New York have already begun implementing vertical farming projects to reduce their dependence on imported produce.
However, vertical farming faces considerable challenges, particularly regarding energy consumption and initial investment costs. The LED lighting systems required to replace natural sunlight consume substantial amounts of electricity, making operational costs significantly higher than traditional farming. Despite these obstacles, experts predict that technological advancements and decreasing LED costs will make vertical farming increasingly viable for urban food production in the coming decades.