Vertical Farming: Principles, Technologies and Sustainable Food Production provides a comprehensive account of modern crop production in vertically stacked and controlled environments. It introduces the scope, principles, components and different types of vertical farming, including hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics. The book explains farm planning, infrastructure, lighting, climate-control systems, nutrient formulations, water recycling, crop selection and cultivation practices. It also covers automation, IoT-based monitoring, quality control, organic certification, economic planning, marketing and entrepreneurship. Dedicated chapters examine vegetables suitable for vertical farming, water and nutrient management, climate-change adaptation, food safety and quality assurance. With practical formulations, operational guidance, case studies, glossaries and multiple-choice questions, the book will benefit students, researchers, horticulturists, entrepreneurs, extension professionals, policymakers and practitioners interested in protected cultivation, urban agriculture and sustainable food production.

Dr. Raj Kumar Dhakad, born in 1989 in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticulture at the College of Agriculture, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (RVSKVV), Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He has approximately eight years of experience in teaching, research, and extension activities.

Dr. Dhakad holds a Ph.D. in Horticulture with a specialization in Vegetable Science, an M.Sc. in Horticulture with a specialization in Vegetable Science, and a B.Sc. in Horticulture. He has made significant research contributions, including the publication of 26 national and international research papers in reputed journals, including Scopus-indexed journals.

He has received several prestigious scholarships and awards, including the National Talent Scholarship, ICAR Junior Research Fellowship, DRDO Junior Research Fellowship, Technology Development Award from DIBER, DRDO Junior Young Scientist Award, and Young Scientist Awards from various professional societies, in recognition of his contributions to vegetable science.

Dr. Dhakad has actively participated in and organized national seminars, workshops, symposiums, and training programmes related to agriculture and horticulture. He is also a prolific writer and has contributed books, research articles, and book chapters on various agricultural topics. He has appeared on national television and radio programmes, where he has shared his expertise with a wider audience.

Dr. Manendra Sharma holds a Ph.D. in Horticulture from ITM University, Gwalior. Since February 2022, he has been associated with the Madhya Pradesh Vigyan Sabha, Bhopal, where he contributes to initiatives related to agriculture and rural development.

Dr. Sharma has experience in managing projects funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). His professional interests focus on advancing horticultural research, supporting agricultural development, and strengthening rural livelihoods.

Dr. J. S. Rawat was born on 10 June 1973 to Late Shri B. S. Rawat. He completed his primary, middle, and higher secondary education at Government Higher Secondary School, Bhitarwar, District Gwalior. He obtained his graduation and post-graduation degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur, and completed his Ph.D. from Mansarovar Global University, Bilkisganj, Sehore.

Dr. Rawat has more than two decades of professional experience in the development and academic sectors. From 2003 to 2013, he worked with PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action), where he served as State Coordinator at the Bhopal unit, Madhya Pradesh. He subsequently worked with Mahindra & Mahindra CSR in Bhopal from 2013 to 2018 and with IDFC Bank CSR from 2018 to 2020, contributing to projects across Indore, Dewas, and Dhar districts of Madhya Pradesh.

He served as Dean of Agriculture at Mansarovar Global University, Bhopal, from 2021 to 2022. Since 2022, he has been working as a Professor at IES University, Bhopal. His professional interests include agricultural development, rural livelihoods, institutional management, and academic administration.

Dr. Rajendra Kumar Jaiswal, born on 17 July 1962, is a Professor and Head of the Department of Horticulture at the College of Agriculture, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He has more than 40 years of experience in teaching, research, and extension activities in horticulture.

He completed his B.Sc. (Agriculture) from JNKVV, Raipur, in 1984; his M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Horticulture from JNKVV, Jabalpur, in 1986; and his Ph.D. in Botany with a specialization in Horticulture from Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal, in 2002.

Dr. Jaiswal began his professional career as a Sericulture Inspector from 1985 to 1986, followed by service as a Horticulture Officer from 1986 to 1988. He worked as a Junior Scientist at ZARS, Pawarkheda, from 1988 to 2000. Subsequently, he served as a Senior Scientist at FRS, Entkhedi, Bhopal, from 2000 to 2006, and at AICRP (Potato), Indore, from 2006 to 2011. He served as an Associate Professor at the College of Agriculture, Indore, from 2011 to 2017, and later as a Professor at the Colleges of Agriculture, Indore and Sehore, and FRS, Entkhedi, from 2015 to 2024. From 2024 to 2025, he served as a Professor at the College of Agriculture, Gwalior.

Dr. Jaiswal has received several prestigious awards, including the Best Vegetable Grower Award in 1986; Best Scientist Awards in 1992, 1995, 1998, 2008, and 2010; the State-Level Best Horticulture Extension Award in 2006; the Best Research Paper Award in 2011; multiple Best Teacher Awards in 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020; and the Best Horticulture Worker Award in 2014.

He has published six books, 60 research papers, and 105 popular articles. He has also contributed to the preparation of eight national-level course curricula. Dr. Jaiswal has delivered more than 59 radio talks and over 200 television talks. He has guided 139 M.Sc. students and eight Ph.D. scholars, contributing significantly to horticultural education, research, extension, and human-resource development.

Mr. Mastu Patel is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the Department of Agronomy at the School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab. His doctoral research focuses on investigating the synergistic impact of zeolite, press mud, bio-neem, and nano-NPK on the growth, productivity, and quality parameters, including ethanol and sugar content, of sweet sorghum.

His research aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve crop productivity and quality. Throughout his academic career, Mr. Patel has made notable contributions to the field of agronomy. He has published 10 popular articles aimed at communicating agricultural concepts to a broad audience, five research papers focusing on agronomic studies, two review papers critically examining existing literature, and 10 book chapters covering various aspects of agronomy and agricultural science.

He has also contributed to six patents related to his doctoral research. He received the Best Research Award from the Indian Institute of Sugar Research in recognition of his research contributions. His academic pursuits and research activities reflect his passion for agronomy and his commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices and crop science

Chapter 1: Scope and Importance of Vertical Farming in India

Chapter 2: Concepts of Vertical Farming

Chapter 3: Components of Vertical Farming

Chapter 4: Types of Vertical Farming

Chapter 5: Principles of Hydroponics

Chapter 6: Planning and Designing of a Vertical Farm

Chapter 7: Climate Control Systems in Vertical Farming

Chapter 8: Growing Systems and Technology in Vertical Farming

Chapter 9: Crop Selection and Cultivation

Chapter 10: Operation and Management in Vertical Farming

Chapter 11: Vertical Farming Produce: Organic and Natural

Chapter 12: Vegetables Suitable for Vertical Farming

Chapter 13: Water Management and Nutrient Practices in Vertical Farming Systems

Chapter 14: Vertical Farming and Climate Change

Chapter 15: Food Safety and Quality Assurance in Vertical Farming