AEROPONICS A Tool for food security

AEROPONICS A Tool for food security

Ogbole SamsonCo-Founder, PS Nutraceuticals

MBBS (Madonna), B. Sc Biochemistry (Igbinedion), *M.Sc Biochemistry (Ibadan), *MBA (CEMBA) Certifications: Public Health (Albany), Food and Nutrition (Stanford), Biotechnology (FUNAAB)

14th May, 2016

What Is Food Security?

14th May, 2016

“Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to

enough, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active

and healthy lifestyle”

• To be "food secure" means…

Food is available / Food is affordable / Food is utilised

Food and Water Security

14th May, 2016

• The term “agricultural water security” means maximizing the efficiency of water use by farmers and rural communities.

• Lack of clean, unpolluted and assured sources of water is affecting Food security around the world.

• Drought and the less reliability of water supplies for agriculture and rural communities now represent a national crisis.

• Lack of Water for agriculture Production of Lesser Food Lesser food means more hunger and malnutrition.

• This Presentation highlights the need for technology in agriculture that can contribute towards water savings. In other words management of water resources, that have a positive impact on food production and

availability.

THE GOAL

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•To bring to each one present here an awareness of a methodology of cultivation called

Aeroponics.

• To educate the participants of how this technology can play an important part in helping

conserve water and yet derive yields of unimaginable magnitudes.

• The HOW of Aeroponics

THE YEARNING – OUR EARNING

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• Nigerians are demanding high quality, pesticide free,

fresh produce. Money not the criterion.

• Growing demand for high quality, microbe free,

medicinal and aromatic plants.

• People are aware of dangers of pesticides, global

warming and its ill effects. Media plays an important

role.

• Consistency, quality and yields is possible only by

modern techniques of cultivation.

What is Aeroponics?

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It is the practice of growing plants without soil, with roots in a misty

environment

Benefits of Aeroponics Cultivation - 1

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Field versus Soil-less grown

Open field

• Farmer has no control on environment.

• Yields are not accurately predicted.

• Budgeting is ineffective.

• Cannot always ensure adequate aeration of the root zone.

Soil-less/Aeroponics

• Gives grower effective control over the environment.

• Yields are very predictable.

• Budgeting is easier,

• Root zone aeration as well as adequate porosity of medium is ensured.


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Plant nutrition

• Aeroponic nutrient solutions can be tailored to the plant’s requirements,

whereas in the field there is a tendency to over or under-fertilise.

• Aeroponic produce has all the macro/micro-nutrients that are needed by

the human body.

• Nutrients in the soil are often fixed as insoluble compounds that are not

available to plants and therefore a loss to the grower.

• Uneven nutrition is ensured by virtue of leaching and sloping of land

gradients.


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Water Security and Savings

• Irrigation water in field grown operations cannot be effectively

recycled.

• Aeroponics can reduce irrigation water usage by 95% by recycling

the run-off water.

• As water becomes scarce, and important as a resource, the use of

aeroponics and other water saving technologies is needed now and

is poised to increase in time.


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Microbial Diseases• Fungal disease can be significantly reduced through controlled

humidity.

• The Aeroponic system will reduce the amount of exposed moisture in the growing environment.

• Aeroponics will effectively prevent wetting of the leaf surfaces which, in normal agriculture, provides the fungal spores with the perfect medium to proliferate.

• Aeroponics eliminates the possibilities of root diseases by allowing sufficient porosity for drainage of excess water as well as increases oxygen availability to the root zone.

• Root zone temperatures are maintained as is ideal to ensure good growth of the plant.


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Labour

• Weeds are a major problem in Soil cultivation and calls for the use

of harmful herbicides. Most farmers spend an enormous amount of

money on labor for weeding.

• All labour inputs associated with soil management, such as digging

and weeding are eliminated with aeroponics.

• Substrates being sterile and inert, do not influence or allow weeds

to flourish.


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Pest Management The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in protected

environments is ideally suited to Aeroponic growing techniques, especially when carried out in a protected environment such as a glasshouse or plastic/polythene tunnels.

• The use of IPM can virtually eliminate the need to use toxic and

expensive chemical pesticides.

• Whereas IPM is much more difficult in Soil cultivation and calls for

near total use of dangerous, life threatening chemical pesticides.

• Diseases and pests from neighboring farms can cause spread of

diseases in one’s field crops.

Commercial AeroponicsSome Yields Tons/Acre/Year/Season

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• Lettuce 300-400 Tons

• Strawberries 50 Tons

• Cucumber 200 Tons

• Tomato 180-200 Tons

• Bell Pepper 120-140 Tons

*Note: Figures are conservative.

You see and ask “Why”?I believe and say “Why Not?”

Summary of Aeroponics benefits

14th May, 2016

Market Control

Environment Control

No Soil – No Problem

Pests and Diseases are eliminated

Less labour inputs for the owner of the system

Higher Value Crops as they are healthier and tastier

Longer Shelf Life due to minimum injury to produce

Extended Growing Season as it is not weather dependent

Improved Produce Quality because of greenhouse technology

Increased Yields and Growth Rates due to exposure to oxygen

Reduced water consumption unlike geoponics (soil) or hydroponics

Happier Workers using remote and different technologies to control plant growing

Beneficiaries from Commercial Aeroponics

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Retail Chains Private Investors

Public Sector Companies Hotel Chains

Fast Food Chains Processed Food Industry as Backward

Integration

Railway Catering companies Corporate Hospitals

FFV Exporters Large land owners

NGO’s Foreign Retail Companies (Outsourcing)

Defence establishments Public-Private Partnerships.

* FFV-Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Government Support

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Has government support in many developed countries.

Nigeria is yet to wake up to this reality.

Aeroponics: Magical Agric?

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No. Not Plug and Play.

Needs diligence and devotion

Aeroponics is not forgiving.

Needs skill but achievable

Over confidence can kill crops

Before Aeroponics, you should:

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Capital costs.

Trained Manpower.

Education required.Attention to shifting market demands.

Attention to crop growing or cultural practices.

Knowledge of IPM.

Knowledge of Environment Controls in GH.

Knowledge of Climate Controls.

Knowledge of Bio-friendly insects.

Is Aeroponic Industry Expanding?

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YES

Aeroponic Leadership

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Yes, we need to convene an association in Nigeria

for Commercial Aeroponic Growers even before

we start the first commercial system in our

country.

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Should not compete with soil grown produce.

Usually gets a better price based on looks,

texture, taste, consistency on daily basis, high

nutrition value, reliable supply year round etc.

Extent to which premiums are realized are based

on seasonal volumes, marketing, presentation

(Branding), product quality.

It is marketed more on the quality and consistency,

rather than the method of production.

Aeroponic Product Marketing

Export Sales

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Sales opportunities abound for Nigerian producers due to better production cost, achievable and rare varieties.

Markets are in USA, EU, Far and Middle East.

Nigeria has excellent connectivity to above by land, sea

and air.

Freight costs from Nigeria are high at this time and with better governmental support can be alleviated.

Commercial Aeroponics: SWOT Analysis

14th May, 2016

S t r e n g t h s• Makes any land with good water source useful for production.

• Nutrient and pH controls are very accurate and effective.

• High Yields from lesser space.

• Facilitates the easy adoption of IPM.

• Climate certainty.

• Root zone temperature is maintained.

• Effective drainage and availability of root level Oxygen.

• Production possible in difficult environments.

• Some crops need closed environments. Cross Pollination is avoided.

• Needs less land to grow more.

• Conserves water by lower usage.


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S t r e n g t h s C o n t d .• Produce can get premium prices and appeals to discerning

customers.

• Can target niche markets and set up in urban areas without

disturbing the ecology as less labor means lesser costs.

• As Aeroponic growers increase, dedicated supply chains will be

established.

• Growers can specialize in just one product.

• Dedicated Aeroponic Food Parks are a near term reality.

• Research centers in Aeroponics can help create and disseminate

protocols and cultural practices for vegetables, herbs, flowers and

aromatic and medicinal plants.


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W e a k n e s s

•No industry association or bodies in Aeroponics yet

•Growers must specialize and carve a niche for themselves.

•Branding is a must for success.

•The technology is quite new to Nigeria and needs more

diligence and devotion but PS NUTRAC is here

•Cannot compete with soil grown produce and not

comparable “apple to apple”.

•No universities teach Aeroponics in Nigeria and dedicated

research yet.


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O p p o r t u n i t i e s• To promote Aeroponic produce, where appropriate, as low or no

chemical use and sustainable.

• Chance to develop and certify Aeroponics as organic.

• Aeroponic growers can form cooperatives to achieve better returns.

• Ability to brand, package and sell produce as clean, healthy and

unique.

• Phasing out the use of Methyl Bromide will call for technologies that

use low chemical, low water use systems like Aeroponics.

• Opportunity abounds in creation of more growth products such as

special gingers, saffron, turmeric etc which are cash crops.


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T H R E A T S• Aeroponic produce must not compete on price, but on quality.

• GMO produce are being marketed vigorously and may be a threat to

Aeroponic produce.

• Imports from even cheaper countries of Aeroponic produce could be

a threat, but none seen as such in near future.

• Some consumers have this perception that Aeroponics is unnatural.

• Growers must organize themselves with unity and make lasting

supply arrangements to be in profitable markets.

Requirement for Aeroponic Set-up

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1. Capital

2. Location and Siting is very important.

3. Climatic conditions in the area.

4. Water must be of good quality in chosen area.

5. Choice of right crop and a potential market.

6. Proximity to markets.

7. Logistics involved.

8. Good Agronomists selected prior with ground level experience. No theory

masters.

9. Topography of the land/ slope characteristics.

10. Wind direction and speed, temperature range, frost frequency, rainfall,

humidity are all important considerations.

Choice of Commercial Aeroponics System

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Type 1Boutique style growers with a niche market close by.Produces special produce. Eg. Culinary/Medicinal Herbs

Type 2Family farms that are part of a larger cooperative. Product sold by cooperative and achieves greater economies of scale.

Type 3Corporate farms with investors who are not in day to day operations but left to a central management. Has a production sufficient to capitalize on economies of scale

Reasons for Failure of Commercial Aeroponics System

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I. Venture not established in a realistic economic framework like

manageable loan repayments, cash flow etc.

II. Selection of system/crop/markets/correct management not done.

III. Crop production management inadequacy.

IV. Yield and quality did not meet budget projections.

V. Lack of diligence on part of the crew.

VI. Non adherence to growing protocols.

VII. Insufficient attention to marketing.

VIII. Lack of necessary labour.

IX. Incorrect pricing of produce.

X. Product not tailored as per demand.

Profitability of Commercial Aeroponics System

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•Production scale, increasing returns to increasing size. Ability to supply promised amount with quality and consistency.

•Capacity to add value and/or..

•Find and exploit a unique and high return/value market niche.

Creating a Niche1. Ability to learn and rapidly expand operations after learning curve is

completed and markets established.2. Willingness to seek and share information on production and markets to

compliment each other’s strengths.3. Working in cooperation with other growers and institutions.4. Effective utilization of government grants and subsidies.5. Take part in field trips to explore export markets.6. Must try to attain the highest possible world standards 7. A scale of production that permits cost efficiencies and must be of interest

to major corporations.8. Ability to supply year round.9. Ability to pack and sell hygienic produce and value add.10. Maximum use of IPM.11. Constant R&D is a must to improve systems and processes and reduce

wastages.12. Competitive pricing.13. Success must be focused up on market needs rather than just

technological innovation.

Conclusion

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The Commercial Aeroponics industry is a successful industry and is rapidly expanding.

The market is larger than opined as produce is sold on quality rather than production method.

Aeroponics cannot displace bulk commodity items.

The industry is expected to grow exponentially as conditions of soil growing is becoming difficult.

Government intervention and university interest can propel the use of this technology.

14th May, 2016

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Documents

AEROPONICS A Tool for food security