Vertical Farming

This is the practice of using indoor farming techniques and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) technology in vertically inclined surfaces. These facilities utilize artificial lightning and environmental control systems (humidity, temperature, gases etc.) that are similar to greenhouses where natural sunlight is augmented with metal reflectors. Vertical farming yields 10 times more than traditional agriculture. In areas where urbanization overpopulation has entrenched into farmlands, these method will be of great benefit to farmers.

There are 3 types of vertical farming:

• Hydroponics is the vertical farming method of growing plants without soil by using mineral nutrients in a   water base. The nutrients include byproduct of fish waste, duck manure, chemical fertilizers, etc. Most hydroponic reservoirs are built of plastic, concrete, glass, metal or wood. The nutrient solution is changed on a schedule or when the concentration drops below a determined level.
• Aeroponics was introduced by the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) in the 1990s. It is the technique of growing plants in air or mist without soil and very little water.
• Aquaponics is used to grow fish and plants in the same ecosystem. The fish waste provides the nutrients for the plants and in return, plants help filter the water.

The Drones & The Bees

Times magazine claims that there are more than 700 species of North American Bee that headed toward extinction. Scientists estimate that 90% of the world’s wild plants and 30% of the world’s crops are cross-pollinated by bees, bats, birds and other insects. Since the drop in bee populations due to Colony Collapse Disorder, researches on the use of robotics as a possible alternative is on the rise. Small drones are developed in labs to replicate bees in plant pollination.

See Also Water Harvesting Techniques

Polyhouse/Polytunnel Farming

A polyhouse is a tunnel made from steel and covered in polythene used in modern farms. Humidity and ventilation can be natural or regulated by motorized ventilators while the interior is heated up by solar radiation. The plastic is protected from damage by Ultraviolet rays from the sun. Polyhouses can be used to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers all year round.

Artificial Intelligence, IoT and Automation

Many companies like Smart Ag are developing functional driver-less tractor technology software that can provide farmers with logistics assistance during demanding harvest season. Colin Hurd, the founder of Smart Ag said that the innovative technology will allow farmers to automate their existing equipment and maximize its efficiency and capacity. This AutoCart Software is a cloud-based platform, which means that these automated Ag vehicles will join the worldwide internet of things (IoT). Sensors can also be used in automated farms to enable farmers understand forest, soil or water conditions.

Robotics

In the world today, robots are beginning to perform human-related tasks that require intensive labor. In agribusiness too, robots can be used to harvest and plant crops. This will be very helpful in large scale farming for export business.

Although, many farmers in developing countries still make use of old techniques, these modern techniques are yielding high quality produce over an extended period of cropping. Traditional farmers could take a lesson from modern farmers by incorporating these techniques into already existing practices.

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• Finnfund Invests US$2.86 million In Tanzania’s Africado Farm
• Leveraging on Meet The Farmers Conference for Agricultural Business Funds
• Gracia Farms Looks to Partner with Meet the Farmers Conference for Sustainable Agriculture

The post 5 Modern Agricultural Practices Today appeared first on MTFC | Meet The Farmers Conference - Nov 2019 - Dubai UAE.

We have seen many African techpreneurs tapping into different sectors in agritech, however, the peak of technology farming is yet to get the necessary attention it deserves.

To make use of the most promising innovations, technologies like vertical farming, indoor greenhouses, and controlled environment farming need to be launched in African to help meet and overcome our current challenge in food security.

Vertical farms use high tech lighting and climate-controlled buildings to grow crops indoors while using less water and soil. The modern ideas of vertical farming use indoor techniques and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) technology, where all environmental factors can be controlled.

CEA is a technology-based approach toward food production and it is to provide protection and maintain optimal growing conditions throughout the development of the crop. Production takes place within an enclosed growing structure such as a greenhouse or building.

Since it’s a closed growing system with controlled evaporation from plants, these farms use 95% less water than traditional farms.

Over time, there has been an increase in the number of vertical farming enterprises in the world, especially in North America and Asia. In the US, Chicago is home to several vertical farms, while New Jersey is home to AeroFarms, which is also the world’s largest vertical farm. Other countries such as Japan, Singapore, Italy and Brazil have also witnessed a rise in their vertical farms.

In fact, Netherlands is on the verge of completing its first large-scale commercial vertical indoor farm which is expected to serve Europe’s largest supermarket chains with high quality, pesticide-free fresh-cut lettuce. As the trend continues, vertical farming is expected to be valued at US$5.80 billion by the year 2022.

With the precedent that has been set, it is quite obvious that Africa has unique opportunities for vertical farms and Controlled Environment Agriculture.

The beautiful part of it is that most vertical farms do not need soil because they use aeroponics or hydroponic systems which dispenses nutrients needed for plants to grow via mist or water. This technique is ideal for meeting the challenges of urbanisation and the rising demand by consumers for high-quality, pesticide-free food in Africa.

South Africa has taken various initiatives to spur innovation in its agriculture sector. Also, other Sub-Saharan African cities in Nigeria and Kenya, South African metropolises are joining the footsteps of many global cities to introduce sustainable urban indoor farming. But much more needs to be done.

Although, we can’t turn away our eyes from the effort that has been made to launch Vertical Farming, and CEA  across Africa, so much more needs to be done.

With the population expected to rise in most African cities, this is the right time to start investing in innovative urban agriculture practices.

Why Vertical Farming Need to be Adopted in Africa

1. Land can be conserved

The great thing about vertical farming is that it takes up less space. In fact, these farms are currently being run inside buildings in cities. With irrigable land fast running out in some major cities across as urbanisation speeds up, being able to grow entire crops in an enclosed could help stave off future food shortages.

2. The quantity of Chemical Needed is reduced

Since plants are not subjected to insects and severe weather patterns, crops are less exposed to pesticides, fungicides and insecticides.

3. A stable food source

With the absence of floods, rain and drought in vertical farming, healthy crops are almost guaranteed all year-round, eliminating the possibility of shortages. Season-specific produce such as citrus, berries and avocados can also be grown throughout the year regardless of weather conditions.

4. It’s quick

Aeroponic farming has enabled growers to harvest and propagate tomatoes within 10 days. Normal farming methods would take between 6 to 8 weeks to produce a full-grown plant.

5. We can use it in space

Since the plants don’t require any sunlight or soil, Agric produce can grow in space. Scientists have already started testing aeroponics on various seeds to determine the best way to grow produce in outer space.

6.  It’s cost-effective

Although to purchase a sizeable building to farm in, the overall infrastructure and equipment needed is quite expensive, however, in the long-run, vertical farms cost far less to maintain than full-fledged conventional set-ups.

7. The products are more nutritious

In some cases, vertical farmers add more nutrients to the water or mist being sprayed on the plants. The plants absorb these nutrients, making them richer in vitamins and minerals than many mass-produced crops.

8. The great avenue to create more jobs

Since these plants need to be maintained by many hands, more workers may be needed.

Having highlighted why vertical farming should be focused on in Africa, techpreneurs, innovators and entrepreneurs should start thinking of how to specialise in growing Agric produce vertically to meet the rising demand for food in Africa.

If vertical farming can be adopted fully in Africa, the pressure that a growing population brings will be relieved.

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