Controlled Environment Agriculture (PA Technology)

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Name of technology example: Type
Controlled Environment Agriculture
CEA2.jpg
☐ Energy Efficiency
☐ Renewable Energy
Alternative Methodology
Description Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) is any agricultural technology that enables the grower to manipulate a crop's environment to the desired conditions. CEA technologies include greenhouse, hydroponics, aquaculture, and aquaponics. Controlled variables include temperature, humidity, pH, and nutrient analysis.

A February 2011 article in the magazine, ""Science Illustrated"" states, :In commercial agriculture, CEA can increase efficiency, reduce pests and diseases, and save resources.... Replicating a conventional farm with computers and LED lights is expensive but proves cost-efficient[citation needed] in the long run by producing up to 20 times as much high-end, pesticidee-free produce as a similar size plot of soil. Fourteen thousand square feet of closely monitored plants produce 15 million seedlings annually at the solar-powered factory. Such factories will be necessary to meet urban China's rising demand for quality fruits and vegetables.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled-environment_agriculture

Technology for the Application of
Solar ☐ Biomass ☐ Biofuel
☐ Biogas ☐ Wind ☐ Geo-Thermal
☐ Hydro ☐ Energy Efficiency
☐ Other: /
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps
☐ Mechanization ☐ Efficiency of Operation ☐ Processing
☐ Transportation Controlled Atmosphere Controlled Temperature
☐ Mechanical Sorting ☐ Preservation
☐ Other: /
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities
☐ Grinding ☐ Hauling and conveying ☐ Sorting
☐ Seedbed Preparation ☐ Milling ☐ Tearing
☐ Planting ☐ Washing ☐ Mixing
☐ Pumping ☐ Heating ☐ Drying
☐ Irrigation ☐ Cooling ☐ Animal feeding
☐ Fertilizing ☐ Venting ☐ Animal health and Welfare
☐ Pest Management ☐ Lighting ☐ Packing and branding
☐ Cutting ☐ Sanitation
Other: N/A
Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups
☐ Cereals Fruits and vegetables ☐ Nuts and berries
☐ Forage ☐ Dairy products ☐ Meat products
☐ Oil Seeds ☐ Roots and Tubers ☐ Eggs
☐ Pulses ☐ Fiber Crops ☐ Forestry
☐ Sugars Stimulants Spices
☐ Other: /
Region & Country of
Development
Region

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
Europe & Central Asia - Netherlands
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
North America - United States of America
☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of
Current Deployment
Region

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
East Asia & The Pacific
Europe & Central Asia
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
Middle East & North Africa
North America
☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of
Potential Deployment
Worldwide

Africa
South Asia
East Asia & The Pacific
Europe & Central Asia
Latin America & The Caribbean
Middle East & North Africa
North America
☐ N/A: /
Manufacturers N/A
Economics Economics has to be evaluated in each project; In some cases very profitable;
Technology Development Level Still a lot of Research and development is required;

Pilot projects and first implementation;

Required Maintenance Technical Level Still high: Technology can only be maintained through its life cycle with uncommon tools and requires trained professionals for maintenance;
Required Infrastructure for Deployment Research and more project experiences;
Required Resources during manufacture Metals, plastics, electronics;
Required Resources during operation So far, most of the CEA operations require a lot of resources for its operation, energy (electricity and heat), fertilizer and feed;
Deployment
Level
Local availability;
Deployment Capability and Potential Worldwide;
Requirements for Deployment Research for more ecological approaches with less requirement of resources, development of closed loop CEA's based on renewable energies and local cycles of matter and materials;
Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security High, if energy efficient, energy independent (based on renewables) and local cycles of matter are implemented;
Environment Impacts (emissions) High: direct and indirect emissions;

Has the potential to become low: no direct emissions but indirect emissions;

Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules Has the potential to fulfill conformity, if resource issues are solved;
Additional information / Comments No comments.
Internal Reference
Additional Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled-environment_agriculture

http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac/

http://www.except.nl/en/#.en.projects.1-polydome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building-integrated_agriculture

https://practicalaction.org/vegetable-production-under-protective-structures