High rise Urban Agriculture

[Tipp]

Here is an interesting article on Urban visions. I had already discussed that agriculture can go high-rise, up in the air for areas lacking land space. It seems there are positive advantages, re the runoff waters can be collected as these could have elevated fertilizer contents, cleaned up recycled, and water is recycled. It will need an experiment first e.g. a 4story pilot plant building or learn or JV from the companies already trying it. Ideas to click in as fossil fuels sputters out.

Urban Visions: The Future of Cities
What will population centers look like in 20 years' time? Innovations in transportation, energy production and technology will have to keep pace with a host of challenges
Growing Skyscrapers: The Rise of Vertical Farms
Growing crops in city skyscrapers would use less water and fossil fuel than outdoor farming, eliminate agricultural runoff, and provide fresh food
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-rise-of-vertical-farms

[kemist]

TIPP....I tried to get that research going 5 years ago. I was only a grad student & didn't have a grant, so i gave it to those that did...no response. Maybe is because i was a grad student, or, because agri wasnt my field, it looks like they didnt take it seriously. To me, the prospects of tripling or quadrupling land space is too beneficial to ignore. I know the setup cost would be huge, but in the long run we would be securing our food supply. What i proposed as a pilot plant, was to grow wheat & local crops in a ground level room with automatic watering and fertilization systems (like in a nursery), and using artificial light sources powered by solar panels. And i also 'sneaked in' the idea of using hydroponics. As long as crop yield and nutritional content of these crops was ok, then a 3 story pilot plant can be justified, or perhaps even higher.I haven't looked into this since then.

[Danny Colossus]

This will be the answer to the question: "it have farmers in morvant and lavantille?"roflrofl...just kidding... doh want to derail allyuh serious thread.

[Tipp]

Danny: no probs, but you get the point. Kemist: its a good idea, the capex will pay off over time as the water is recovered and recycled and fertilizer reused, and yield is high, wheras now excess water is drained to soil losing fertilizers. Good idea you had early on Kemist. The other point: UK Min of Agriculture has pointed out that we waste fertilzers as we till too deeply, if the roots are shallow spreading for vegs, you dont need 3 feet tilling. 0nly 6 inch tilling is used now for vegtables but loose soil in maintenance mode brings in the plant protection. I practise this, if the instructions say dig a 2 foot trench to plant, I use a 9 inch trench and you surprise to see the crops I get. I think these ideas should be experimented with. I think some rich guy in TT should form a JV with Walmart as they do in India, to open up a multi-farming of all produce for home use, forget about exporting at present as surely someone would say we are a small country.

[kemist]

The 'small country' argument against this would be weak in this case. In fact, it is actually a strong argument FOR such a venture. Such high-rise greenhouses could put an end to the classic debate of using our limited land space for food production versus industrial development.

Of course the other argument would be cost, and it will most likely have to be done via a JV amongst many investors, and some would argue that it will put the small farmers out of business (similar to arguments against megafarm)

But the cost is going to be recovered many-times-fold in the long run, more land space would be available for industrial development , our food supply would be secured, food prices can be controlled, the nation's breadline can be lowered, opportunity for exports at least to the wider Caribbean region, would provide employment in a wide range of areas- even for the old farmers.

[Tipp]

Kemist: now you talking, the farmers will do co-operatives and take shares in the JV by the protocols of setting it up, This way you protect the small farmer revenue and more, and room for advancement, High rise can be established in areas that you dont use up arable lands, the SciAm article says in the cities.

[aprillove20]

Interesting topic and some good points to bring up.

[J lindsay]

This concept of roof top farming is well established and proven in Japan and other countries, so I believe all the necessary knowledge is already out there.

[kemist]

yep, rooftop farming is simple now.
With high rise farming, we are looking at an enclosed mini-ecosystem, possibly different for every level. There would be some minor practical problems to sort out, like pollination and harvesting amongst others, but i think its just a matter of applying existing technology.

[snowbird]

(enjoying the discusson so far)

Sounds like an excellent idea however, given the amount of energy (hydro) these illegal 'grow ops' now use; I guess the major challenge would be ...'how do we do this in a cost efficient way'.

If the owners can come up with an alternate source of power like ....'solar powered'.... this could be the future of agriculture.