ertical farming allows one to grow more food on the same or less area. When the crops are stacked, farm land can be a hundred times more productive than a traditional farm.

Waleed Arshad, a Pakistani entrepreneur in the agri-tech industry, has started a business called VeGrow. The company says it has also secured funds from Draper University to expand its business.

Arshad says they plan to bring fresh produce closer to the cities where it is consumed. This, he hopes, will reduce the waste in the transportation of vegetables.

Unlike conventional agriculture, where a vegetable crop grows horizontally, in vertical farming, the crop grows vertically. A fishing line is used to support the plant branches hanging from the ceiling.

A ‘hydroponic’ system waters the crop. Such systems can save up to 90 percent of the water used by traditional soil-based farming methods. This is primarily because the water is recycled and recirculated within the system, and the precise amount needed for each plant can be calculated and controlled.

Arshad has been implementing vertical farming plans in Pakistan for several years. Waleed Arshad says he was always driven by his love for plants. He had started by growing flowers. “I was mesmerised by the transformation of a seed to a full blossomed flower,” he says.

Arshad says an entrepreneur’s journey is rarely smooth. Years of failure can precede success. Working for another, whether the government or a private sector employer, can provide a degree of protection. However, the employers can be impatient with a lack of early success. No wonder, relatively few people are up for the challenge.

Arshad developed his expertise while working with the University of Agriculture. This involved helping farmers increase their yields and improve productivity. He now plans to share his insights with even more farmers.

The start-up is being launched in the US on account of the high initial costs. Arshad says the US market is ripe for the business. He is simultaneously working to establish its sustainability in Pakistan. He hopes to provide fresh produce in cities in both the countries. He says this will also result in social uplift.

“People will see vegetables being grown closer to their houses. They will be able to pluck some with their own hands. They’ll be closer to nature and their food, the way it’s supposed to be,” he says.

Asked about securing the financial backing of venture capitalist Tim Draper, he says, “It was a moving experience. It was just a two-minute walk with Tim. I told him about my idea. At the end of it, Tim said, ‘Great idea. Here’s my e-mail. Let’s talk about this.’ It felt like a dream come true.”

Currently, the startup comprises a small team. They’re looking to expand.

Jasia Farooq, one of the team members, has diverse experience in marketing across several industries, e-commerce and advertising. She says she sees the company cultivating a community of people keen on a greener future for the world. Many people, she says, have started incorporating environmental sustainability into their purchasing routines. “This should go 360 degrees in their lifestyles. They should choose recycled products for clothing and healthier and more sustainable food options. This is where the startup steps in. We offer a healthier way of farming that can appeal to a community that cares about the future of the planet.”

Sustainability is all about shrinking each individual’s carbon footprint. Initiatives like these can have a snowball effect on the world. Vertical farming is one of the initiatives spearheading the change.

Asked about the future of the company, Waleed Arshad says, “We aim to put the company on the [world] map. We will grow into a unicorn. We hope to make our planet more sustainable in the process.”

The writer is an ex-serviceman and a freelancer. He can be reached at shaafayzia@gmail.com