...another "We're all gonna starve unless we eat something gross guyz!" article...

Vertical farming is part of the solution. It's held back by current energy sources. It needs lots of power to operate so it relies on the oil/coal/lng power grid which is expensive + minor contribution by renewables. Or, add more nuclear (robust grid for EVs demands it) and eventually fusion comes on line (I believe we'll get there sooner than later.) Once the energy hurdle cleared "farms" can be built literally anywhere power & water can be supplied. Not all crops suitable for vertical growth, corn, wheat, oats, soybeans. But land given up for crops that are suitable, lettuces, peppers, tomatoes, pole beans, could be reutilized for horizontal crops.

TL;DR, we're on the cusp of food surplus revolution not starvation.