The Sustainable Vertical Farming research project was launched in 2022 at the University of Bologna, together with the collaboration of the Universities of Naples, Turin, and Pauda. This project is coordinated by Prof. Francesco Orsini of the Department of Agri-Food Sciences and Technologies (DISTAL). With it, the research institutions want to address climate change by proposing innovative solutions for the development of Vertical Farms in Italy.  

"One of our goals is to optimize the use of energy, nutrients, and water resources as well as diversify production towards small fruits, exotic tropical species, and medicinal plants. Today in Italy, lettuce is mainly grown in vertical farms; some companies have embarked on the production of strawberries, but with still limited results.