With rising global populations putting ever more pressure on farmland resources, the race is on to find new ways of feeding the world. One solution to this issue is vertical farming, a revolutionary new idea to create high-rise farms within the urban environment. As part of our long-term commitment to the urgent stories of our time, MIF explored an ambitious project to create a new vertical farm in a disused tower block in Manchester, and scientist Dickson Despommier discussed the idea at a special event in Festival Square.

Commissioned by MIF Creative. Produced by Manchester International Festival and Creative Concern. With support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.