Agriculture at a Crossroads:
Why Controlled Environment Farming Matters
BY YOUSSEF ZAKHARIA
Agriculture has always been shaped by its environment—soil, climate, water, and weather. For centuries, farmers adapted to these natural conditions, but today the challenges are multiplying. Climate change is altering rainfall patterns, extreme heat and droughts are becoming more common, and fertile land is under increasing pressure from urbanization. At the same time, global demand for fresh, healthy food continues to grow.
These pressures are pushing agriculture to a crossroads. The question is no longer if new solutions are needed—it is which solutions will define the future of farming. One of the most promising answers lies in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).
What is CEA?
Controlled Environment Agriculture refers to a range of advanced growing systems—greenhouses, vertical farms, and hybrid facilities—that allow crops to be grown under precisely managed conditions. Light, temperature, humidity, and nutrition can all be optimized to achieve higher yields, reduce risk, and grow food in places where traditional farming would be impossible or inefficient.
Why It Matters
Resilience Against Climate Change
CEA provides protection against extreme weather events that can devastate open-field crops. By insulating production from climate volatility, it ensures greater consistency in both supply and quality.
Water Efficiency
With advanced irrigation and recirculation systems, many CEA operations use up to 90% less water than traditional farming. This is crucial as water scarcity becomes one of the defining resource challenges of our century.
Proximity to Consumers
By locating greenhouses and vertical farms close to major urban centers, CEA reduces transportation costs, lowers carbon emissions, and delivers fresher produce to consumers.
Year-Round
Production
Unlike traditional farming cycles, CEA enables continuous production, creating reliable supply streams that benefit both retailers and consumers.
My Experience in the Space
I had the opportunity to advise Partners Group NA, a subsidiary of Partners Group Holding AG, on two projects that highlight the potential of CEA. One involved an acquisition in the warehouse and distribution sector, critical for enabling efficient supply chains. The other focused directly on greenhouses and advanced technologies for controlled farming.
My role was to provide sector expertise, evaluate potential assets, and support the due diligence process. What struck me throughout this work was how quickly the CEA industry is advancing—not just in technology, but also in the sophistication of its business models and its appeal to global investors.
The Road Ahead
CEA is not a silver bullet. Energy use, capital costs, and scaling remain challenges. However, when paired with renewable energy, automation, and smart distribution strategies, the model becomes increasingly viable. For investors, governments, and entrepreneurs, the space represents one of the most compelling intersections of sustainability, technology, and food security.
Agriculture is indeed at a crossroads. Those who embrace controlled environment farming will be better prepared to feed growing populations, mitigate risks, and build supply chains that are both sustainable and profitable.
For me, the lesson is clear: the future of food is not just about growing more—it is about growing smarter.