FarmHub
Industry Leaders Talking Tech & Food Innovation in Dubai
AgTech’s finest will be gathering at Step Conference FoodX Summit to talk about the latest trends and disruptive technologies that have changed the way we produce and consume food. FarmHub CEO & Co-founder, Jonathan Reyes, will be speaking on the exciting and untapped potential of controlled environment agriculture in the region. Get your tickets to learn how the aquaponic industry is evolving to meet the world’s most pressing needs. Join today!
· Jonathan ReyesJonathan Reyes on Aquaponics & AgTech for the MENA region
Our CEO, Jonathan Reyes, is doing a FREE webinar sponsored by the U.S. Embassy Baghdad and IREX on AgTech and Aquaponics in the context of global & sustainable food systems. It will be simultaneously translated to Arabic and Kurdish.
· Jonathan ReyesThe Big Picture
The world population is an estimated 7.7 billion and is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. To feed this expanding global populace, food production must increase by 30-50%. This increase would require that land used to raise crops expand by almost 1.5 billion acres; that is about ¾ the size of the continental United States. In 2020, agriculture utilized almost 50% of the world’s vegetated land. The ongoing increase in atmospheric CO~2~ levels, leading to increased global warming, would be exacerbated by the large-scale conversion of forested lands to crop land necessary for food production.
· Kentucky State University9.4 Indoor Production
Moving production into an insulated building is suitable for producers who want to be close to urban markets, have a lack of arable land, or live in a climate not suitable for outdoor or greenhouse production. No matter where a plant is grown, it still requires optimal conditions to reach its maximum yield potential. In addition to the controls discussed above, producers must also provide light suitable for optimal plant growth.
· Kentucky State University9.3 Heating and Cooling Options
Heating: For small or backyard-size producers, implementing a passive heating system can help reduce heating costs during cold months. In this type of system, sunlight enters the south wall. The north wall has reflective material to trap and store heat. Black barrels filled with water absorb heat from sunlight during the day and slowly release the heat during the night. Thermal curtains can be hung on the south wall to trap heat during the night (Figure 26).
· Kentucky State University9.2 Greenhouse Covering Options
Greenhouse coverings come in a variety of materials, including glass, rigid plastic (fiberglass, polycarbonate, or acrylic), and plastic films. The appropriate choice depends on your climate zone and budget. Regions with a colder climate will require the covering to provide increased insulation and low heat transfer measured by the R-value and U-value, respectively. The R-value measures how well the material insulates. The higher the R-value, the more insulation the material provides.
· Kentucky State University9.1 Types of Greenhouses
Free-standing greenhouses come in a variety of shapes and sizes (Figure 24). Choice of greenhouse depends on snow load and wind speed of a particular location. Free-standing greenhouses are less expensive than larger structures and are easier to optimize environmental parameters for different crop species. If multiple stand-alone structures are used, increased sanitation protocols are required to prevent insect pest and disease issues from being transferred between structures by workers.
· Kentucky State University8.9 Food Safety and Sanitation
Sanitation and cleanliness of an operation is critical to ensure Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) regarding food safety (Hollyer et al. 2012). This is important because as of 2018, the CDC estimated that each year, 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness, 128,000 are hospitalized, and about 3,000 people die. If the aquaponics industry wants to become a larger part of global food production and the fresh-cut sector, it is critical to maintain a good reputation and positive public perception of food safety for both fish and plants cultured within the same system.
· Kentucky State University8.8 Steps to Prevent Plant Disease in Aquaponic Systems:
Control temperature and humidity of the growing environment. High temperature and humidity often are the ideal environment for growth and spread of fungal and bacterial disease in plants. Particularly in a greenhouse or indoor facility, forced air ventilation and prevention of evaporation will reduce these parameters. It is also important to control these in and around the plant structure. This is accomplished through appropriate plant spacing and pruning fruiting crops with dense foliage.
· Kentucky State University8.7 Plant Disease and Prevention
Plant disease problems can be difficult and time consuming to treat. Preventing issues from arising is the first step in proper plant care. Many foliar plant diseases are present during conditions of high temperature and humidity. Providing proper ventilation and reducing humidity will prevent conditions that allow mold and disease to spread to other plants. Plant nutrition plays a direct role in disease resistance in plants (Agrios 2005). Providing the correct balance of nutrients is important not only for growth but also to decrease susceptibility and increase recovery from certain plant disease.
· Kentucky State University