The floating farm: The new era of “adaptation” to catastrophe.

For the past decades, the planet went through overabundant natural catastrophes, unsettling wildfires, unseasonal snowstorms, and unexpected floods. The climate crisis of today, is no longer seen as very distant from dystopian scenarios that were once only imagined. We saw that coming, and unfortunately, we have not done anything about it. However, as we are now living with catastrophes, the abnormal is becoming the new normal, and we are adapting.

Cow’s on Rotterdam’s waters

In Rotterdam, there exists a unique floating farm where dozens of cows reside and graze. The farm has advanced tech like a milking robot, spacious living quarters, and automated feeding for the cattle’s luxurious water-based stay. The cows are also able to access an adjacent pasture for outdoor activities. Additionally, the floating farm is designed to be entirely self-sufficient and operates on a circular economy model. Rotterdam’s Floating Farm, in Merwehaven, is the world’s first and shows Netherlands’ green tech commitment. It utilizes floating solar panels to meet its energy needs and employs a rainwater collection and purification system. Cows in the city eat a varied diet of brewers’ grains, bran, leftover potatoes, and grass from local sports fields and golf courses. This Innovation focuses on transparency, showing visitors cows, feed production and dairy creation. Milk becomes dairy items and manure becomes organic fertilizer.

The new survival method

However, the main question is why create a floating farm?  This farm is actually an innovative solution to two pressing issues: the scarcity of agricultural land and the impact of climate change. The farm is constructed on water to address increasing food demands with growing global population. Additionally, the farm is situated in a delta region that is particularly vulnerable to rising water levels and extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and flooding. The farm’s location on the water allows food production to continue even in the event of severe flooding. « It solves problems and adds aesthetic beauty through its innovative modern design on water. »