China: China's vertical strawberry base yields sweet success.

Storyline China's vertical strawberry base yields sweet success The largest vertical strawberry base in southwest China is a remarkable example of a smart farming system that produces fresh fruit year-round with the help of technology. With 11 layers of berries stacked floor to ceiling, the center in Chengdu City has a planting area of more than 10,000 square meters to produce 200 kilos of strawberries every day. The berries are bathed in light; blue light to promote root growth during the seedling stage. And red for fast coloring and a sweeter taste. The consistent light, water, and fertilizer, allows for 10 harvests annually. Peng Jie, Associate Researcher, Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences: "We are currently in a state where demand exceeds supply." The center produces some 73 tons of strawberries per year, roughly 35 times the cultivation of an open-air field. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]