The primary focus of a government plan to introduce vertical farming to the island is to supplement, rather than compete, with local agriculture production, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation said.

The BEDC added that comprehensive due diligence had been carried out on the programme, which it proposes to undertake in collaboration with Dutch firm Growy.

It came after a collective of the island’s farmers objected to the plan and said they were considering legal action.

The Bermuda Farmers Association told The Royal Gazette that the global vertical farming industry had consistently struggled to get off the ground commercially.

However, the BEDC said assessments had been carried out to ensure that the vertical project would be worthwhile.

It said: “Prior to moving forward, comprehensive due diligence was conducted, including viability assessments to ensure that this vertical farming project would be feasible and beneficial for the island.”

The quango said it was collaborating with the Government to explore innovative solutions to address food sustainability and security in Bermuda.

“Given that Bermuda imports over 90 per cent of its food, initiatives like vertical farming are being evaluated to reduce our dependency on imported goods,” it said.

In a letter to David Burt, the Premier, which was copied to the BEDC, the BFA said the vegetables proposed by Growy amounted to “low-calorie products”.

The Amsterdam-based firm specialises in growing salads, herbs and microgreens indoors.

A spokeswoman for the company said since 2019 the company had been growing fresh produce using vertical farming systems designed by and for farmers.

The firm operates 75,000 sq ft of fully operational vertical growing space and the spokeswoman said “this has proven that vertical farming can be both economically and agronomically viable”.

She added: “Our methods are data-driven, sustainable and focused on growing affordable, nutrient-rich food close to the communities that need it, with feasibility proven in the company’s results.”

She said the firm partnered with the BEDC more than 18 months ago to explore how its farm could complement the island’s agriculture sector.

She said the company intended to grow lettuces, herbs and leafy greens in Bermuda, providing “fresh alternatives that reduce import reliance, emissions and cost fluctuations”.

The BFA said produce cultivated by Growy was already well supplied locally and claimed the initiative could drive some farmers out of business.

It called for investment in the island’s existing agricultural sector, which it said was not operating to its potential in the face of several challenges.

However, the BEDC said the vertical farm project aimed to produce items being imported at present, due to insufficient local supply, thus complementing the existing efforts of local farmers.

The BEDC acknowledged the BFA’s feedback and said it remained open to continued dialogue to ensure all initiatives effectively supported the broader goal of enhancing the island’s food sustainability.

Growy’s spokeswoman noted: “We hope to share agronomic insights, seed genetics and best practices with the broader farming community.

“A Growy farm is one part of the larger agricultural ecosystem Bermuda depends on — and we believe there’s room for all of us to grow together.”

The Government unveiled plans for a single vertical farm in 2020 but the proposals were put on hold after the overseas-based parent company of the firm behind the project reported massive losses.

Florida-based Kalera had set up a Bermuda subsidiary of the company — but its plans stalled and Growy took over Kalera’s overseas operations.

Growy’s chief executives met the BEDC in 2023, reviewed the vertical farming project and reconfirmed their strong interest in moving forward with it.