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Intellectual Output 2 – Smart Farming Handbook

The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect
the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained
therein.

Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged.

Photo: @Shutterstock

This document has been prepared by the project partners’ team of project “Smart Farming in the Fourth Industrial Revolution” SMART
FARMING 4.0 ALL 2019-1-BG01-KA202-062376 funded by the Erasmus + Programme
www.smartfarmingproject.eu

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 Page
Chapter 1. Brief summary based on the Smart farming questionnaires in the
project partner countries
2
Chapter 2. Benefits related to the economy and the environment for
professionals (Hakan Kanso - TR) 4
Chapter 3. Establishment of Smart farming and legislative information
(Dekaplus Ltd - CY and Via Pontica Foundation - BG) 9
Chapter 4. CEA Controlled Environment Agriculture (OECON Group & The 24
Chamber of Chalkidiki)
Chapter 5. Best Practices in Urban Farming (SATEAN Foundation - RO) 31
References 43

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 Smart Farming 4.0 All Introduction

Urbanization rates are gradually rising and it is estimated that by 2050 around 80% of the
world’s population will live in cities, while the total population of the earth is expected to
increase by 3 billion. This upward trend can lead to food shortage, as arable land already
cultivated to cover these feeding requirements amounts to 80% of available farmland.
Through smart farming and cotrolled-environment agriculture larger food production is
possible because the production can take place during the whole year without interruptions,
while weather conditions in many cases have no impact on it. Vertical farming offers the
possibility to increase crop yield per unit area of land requirement. Another issue that is
solved through smart farming is the increase of pollution due to the use of fossil fuels for the
transportation. It is estimated that the produced goods travel thousands of kilometers on
average before they reach our table. Smart urban farming will automatically nullify the
distance from the production site to the table, providing a green solution to the above
problem. Cultivation methods vary from crops in soil, terraces, gardens and balconies in our
personal space to crops in community public spaces and gardens in suburban areas.
In the current publication we will focus on aquaponics as a smart farming method for
cultivation of fish and plants together in a constructed, recirculating ecosystem utilizing
natural bacterial cycles to convert fish waste to plant nutrients. It is an environmentally
friendly, natural foodgrowing method that harnesses the best attributes of aquaculture and
hydroponics without the need to discard any water or filtrate or add chemical fertilizers. It
enables growing food for oneself, the community, or for the market without the use of
harmful pesticides and herbicides, while using the least resources, thereby leaving the
smallest carbon footprint. In addition, aquaponics is suitable for environments with limited
land and water, which makes it an urban-friendly technology as well as a sustainable farming
technique. This modern idea of smart farming, whether it is performed in greenhouses or
through indoor techniques, can be optimized by utilizing the controlled-environment
agriculture (CEA) technology, where all environmental factors i.e. temperature, humidity,
carbon dioxide, pH, etc. can be controlled and automated based on the Industry 4.0 trends.
Most importantly, smart farming systems do not require much prior expert knowledge in
order to start your own cultivation; it requires resources like a backyard or a rooftop, and a
hands-on approach combined with the right skills. Nevertheless, in most countries

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throughout Europe, they are still in an infantile stage, even though it is rapidly developing
during the last few years. Especially concerning the project’s participating countries (Bulgaria,
Greece, Romania, Turkey and Cyprus) where farming and fishing are two very important – yet
not as modernized – industries, new smart farming methods cannot be located in many
curricula of VET organizations or HEIs, nor are there many large-scale establishments, either
for profit or non-profit. This is why the partners have come together to establish the “Smart
Farming 4.0 All” consortium, in order to conduct extensive desk and field research addressed
to a wide variety of relevant stakeholders and professionals, to create a Smart Farming
Handbook and disseminate it freely to everybody interested, and to develop specific training
curricula that will be utilized to train experts from the participating organizations as “carriers”
of innovation, in order to be able to spread and mainstream this novel method back to their
regions. Therefore, the project will have a wide consequent impact to different sectors and
countries that, nonetheless, face similar challenges. Also, taking under account the United
Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the project’s implementation provides a
common set of tools that will be addressed and disseminated to everybody interested to –
literally – get their hands dirty: young and adult students, entrepreneurs and fellow
professionals, academics, trainers and even policymakers will be presented with the project’s
results and the possibility to use them, each one for their respective purposes, but always
with sustainable development as a final goal.

Cyprus

Research has shown that Cyprus is ranked very low when it comes to the use of ‘Smart
Farming’ (including Aquaponics and Hydroponics) in Agriculture (Stylianou and Adamides
2011). Agricultural practices in Cyprus are more ‘traditional’ without the implementation of
‘Smart’ technologies – with the exception of the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) Research
Stations which are focused on experimental work and the small number of individual cases
where Aquaponics and Hydroponics systems have been created.
However, the potential to introduce a basic form of Smart Farming in the context of
Hydroponics and Aquaponics exists in Cyprus. Farmers, stakeholders and policymakers can
benefit from appropriate training curricula, which will further boost the awareness regarding
such Smart Farming applications.

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Bulgaria

Agriculture is an important economic sector in Bulgaria. By 2017, it employed nearly 7% of

the working population. The useful agricultural surface is almost half the national territory,
and by 2018, crop production represented a share of 69% of the total value of agricultural
production.
Access to the EU (European Union) has made a positive impact on the development of
Bulgarian agriculture. There is growth in the gross value added generated in the sector. There
has also been growth in the labor production and investments, and there has been a boost of
trade with agricultural goods. As a result, Smart Farming applications have become more
widespread and have contributed to the increased competitiveness of the Bulgaria in this
sector.
Monitoring the conditions for the development of production in real time, precise pest
control, tracking "farm to fork", balancing consumption and other new technologies, easing
the administrative burden, accurate prediction of stages in crop development - all this is
possible with the application of the latest computer, robotic and artificial intelligence
technologies. Progress and availability of new sensors connected via the Internet of Things
(Internet of things-IoT), precise and Internet-related and geolocation mechanization,
Blockchain distributed computer platforms (Blockchain), artificial intelligence systems
processing large data sets (Big Data) in real time, robots, satellite systems, drones, ubiquitous
access to information - these are the new tools of progress in agricultural business. The
country has adopted a Strategy for digitalization of agriculture and agricultural regions of
Republic of Bulgaria in 2019.
The level of existing smartfarming applications is low, but the country takes steps to
accelerate the digitalization in agriculture in the period 2021-2027.

Greece

The largest percentage in Greece does not know the concepts of hydroponics and aquaponics,
there are no infrastructures, as well as the percentage who know the existence, the
advantages and those who use these techniques are less than 10%. Research has shown that In
Greece, there is a strong need by the farming population to attend training seminars in order to gain
access and adopt practices in the field of hydroponics and aquaponics. In Greece, Smart
Farming technologies are not widespread and as a result of perceived ‘lack of demand’ there
is no training available.

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Romania

Research has shown that farmers in Romania have many skills related to Smart Farming and
are willing to experiment and work agricultural land using Smart Farming. The agricultural
sector It's coming in in the digital era because of the rising demand for agricultural products.
The introduction of the new technologies helps farmers to manage their farms in a sustainable
way. Innovative technologies can range from IT solutions to cropping systems. The
introduction of new information and communications technologies in the agricultural sector
could significantly contribute to its future sustainability, as well as the quality of life for
farmers and consumers. Innovations will improve the quality of crop production, the quality
of livestock health, but also, crucially, the quality of life for farmers.Despite that, a lack of
funding creates many challenges in the sector. In addition to funding for purchasing
machinery and other equipment, Romanian farmers require training in Smart Farming
techniques in order to maximise their capacity to produce goods more efficiently.

Turkey

Smart farming practices is a new concept in Turkey. Therefore, there are very small initiatives
for smart farming practices. Since classical methods are generally preferred in agriculture,
aquaponic and hydroponic systems are not recognized. Turkish Farmers and other relevant
stakeholders need guidance, investments and education on practices in the field of smart
farming so that they are able to expand it. This can be achieved with the introduction of
innovative training curricula which will educate them on the concept of Smart Farming.

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 Benefits related to the economy and the
environment for professionals.
Aquaponics as a smart farming agricultural practice has many benefits that are related to both
economy and environment.

Chemical Pesticide-free
In an aquaponic system there is no option to use pesticides since they may cause death to the
fish present in the system. This means that farmers get completely organic and healthy crops,
and it is also a competitive advantage; people will naturally prefer to consume these organic,
healthy crops, which are pesticide and artificial fertilizers free.
Pesticide uses in farming may cause several problems for humans. Pesticides can reach roots
and crops of plants. Health problems related to pesticides are:
● Acute Poisoning: a toxic effect caused by chemicals. Chemicals taken in frequent
periods, sometimes once sometimes repeatedly, may cause acute poisoning. Pesticide
use in farming is one of these reasons. Today’s communication technologies allow
people to reach every kind of knowledge. Consumers are becoming more conscious
about products and more sensitive about their consumption habits.
● Chronic Poisoning: It is the poisoning caused by the accumulation of the drug in the
body as a result of repeated intake. Effects and symptoms occur in the long term.
● Allergic Effect: It is most commonly seen in sensitive people and generally in workers
who apply the chemicals or work in the environment where the chemicals is present.
Bleeding in the eyes, redness of the skin or itching may occur.
● Carcinogenic Effect: It occurs mostly with the carcinogenic properties of the chemical
structure of the drug.
The other potential harms of pesticides are:
● They can cause death of fish and bees.
● The cause pollution by mixing in water resources, lakes and rivers
● They can pass under the ground with rain or irrigation water and contaminate
groundwater resources.

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 ● They can be transmitted to humans through the food chain through the intake of non-
target environmental creatures.

Low Water Requirement

In Aquaponics you need less water than traditional farming. Same amount of production but
less water need is a big advantage. Aquaponics need only 2% of the water required in
traditional farming. As it is a closed system, water loss is only due to evaporation. In this way,
a serious saving can be achieved for water costs, time and effort spent for irrigation.
Using water in an efficient way is also important for water resources. 1/3 of water use in
Europe belongs to agriculture sector.
As a result of the use of water in the agricultural field, serious problems arise especially in the
efficiency of water resources.
It is seen in the results of various studies that the insufficiency of water resources may be
encountered as a result of the changes in climates and precipitation regimes with the effect
of global warming.
Therefore, it is essential that water use be carried out effectively for both drinking water and
agriculture and animal husbandry activities.

At this point, aquaponic systems stand in a very important place. Thanks to these systems, it
is possible to obtain the same amount of product, although the need for agricultural water
decreases. Since the amount of water required for agricultural activities will be reduced
considerably, the effects of drought will be minimized.

In the warning made by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO),
it was announced that 122 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty by 2030 due
to climate change. Because climate changes, which negatively affect food security, greatly
damage agricultural activities.
Damage to agricultural land and crops is one of the main factors facing hunger for millions of
people today. This number is approximately equal to the number of refugees in the world.
The situation in question, which we can refer to as the other agenda of the world, does not
find much response in the international public opinion. This is because such disasters are
quietly escalating.
Based on this information, the benefits of aquaponic systems can be seen more clearly. These
issues, which can be considered as perhaps the most important to be countered by the
benefits of Aquaponic systems.

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Application on lands that is not suitable for agriculture
In order for agricultural production to be carried out, the land must meet the relevant
conditions. Suitability of conditions such as sufficient water resources and soil fertility is
important. Therefore, agricultural production is not possible, especially in arid and barren
lands. These conditions, which are necessary for the success of traditional agricultural
practices, are not necessary in aquaponic systems. The African continent is an important
example of agricultural production not being possible due to insufficient water resources.
Thanks to aquaponic systems, it is possible to obtain agricultural products in such regions. In
addition, if approached from a different viewpoint, it is seen that production is possible in
urban areas. Aquaponic systems can be applied on the roofs, as well as vertical applications
inside buildings. In this way, it becomes possible for people far from agricultural areas to
access fresh food products.
On the other hand, it becomes possible to establish settlements on lands that are not suitable
for settlement. Therefore, thanks to the reduction of the need for water for agricultural
needs, only the supply of drinking and utility water opens the way for horizontal architecture.
Thus, people's living standards can be raised to a higher level. This is the main reason why
countries around the world try to encourage the development of cities with a horizontal
architectural understanding. Thus, congested living in cities will be relieved.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghanmccormick/2020/02/28/aquafarms-africa-is-using-aquaponics-to-grow-food-
and-entrepreneurs/?sh=7fc2aa412aea Mahama and Thomas pose with a crate of their fresh produce.
WIATTA THOMAS

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The effect of chemicals in the air is eliminated
Thanks to aquaponic systems, the production that can be carried out in closed areas prevents
the products from being affected by various spray gases in the air. In traditional methods,
outdoor agricultural production is exposed to the effect of spray gases in the air. Pollution in
the air reaches the fields and gardens by rainfall or winds. Harmful chemicals can enter the
body through food consumption and cause various diseases. Aquaponic systems help
alleviate this problem, because they are applied in closed environments.

The economic benefits of products that are free from chemical effects are quite great. Today,
as a result of technological developments, it is a fact that people, namely consumers, are
more conscious.
Consumers can access a large number of information about the products they purchase.
Therefore, purchasing tendencies are developing in this direction. The number of people
trying to choose healthier products is increasing day by day.
Studies show that health awareness, the benefits of consuming healthy products, social
identities, information search and various beliefs are effective in shopping preferences. In this
context, the generally preferred definition is accepted as organic foods.
Although organic food is a definition that must be registered by the relevant official
institutions, people realize this classification with a simpler level of production techniques.

High volume production

Another advantage of aquaponic systems to traditional methods is in the amount of
production. The superiority of aquaponic systems is striking when comparing an agricultural
land of the same size with the aquaponic system in terms of product capacity.
The fact that multi-layered production is possible in aquaponic systems forms the basis of this
advantage.

Low amount of waste

The amount of waste generated in aquaponic systems is very low. Because of not using
pesticides and chemicals in the production processes, there is no risk in the wastes generated.
The system is environmentally friendly due to the fact that the chemical wastes are at 0 level
and the small amounts of wastes are natural.
Production is carried out naturally, and renewable resources such as sun and wind can be
used for the electrical energy needs of the system. In this way, the system becomes

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completely self-renewing and repeatable. Local administrations also approach systems
positively because the wastes are natural.

High level of control

The controllability of aquaponics systems is high. System-related measurements and controls
(such as temperature and humidity) can be made remotely, especially thanks to the
development and widespread use of smart agricultural practices. In addition, thanks to the
installation of the system in closed environments, its independence from external factors -
especially the climate - is at a high level. While these elements increase the control capability
on the system, they also maximize the efficiency independent of external influences. In
traditional agricultural practices, farmers are dependent on external factors after they put
forward their labor. Yield decreases when factors such as rainfall, temperature and humidity
do not occur in accordance with the plants’ needs. Therefore, the income to be obtained from
the products is also decreasing. From this point of view, traditional agricultural practices carry
serious risks. In aquaponic systems, farmers work in closed environments. Since the system is
a closed system that recirculates, it is not open to external influences. The controllability of
aquaponics systems also provides an advantage for aquaponic farmers in terms of crop
diversity, harvest timing and harvesting cycles.

Low Labor Requirement

The labor required for daily tasks in the system is low. In addition, it does not take much time
compared to traditional agriculture. Moreover, most of the agricultural machinery used in
current methods is not needed.

Small quantities of production are possible

The system is also suitable for low-volume production. The ability to produce enough to meet
the food needs of a family makes the system even more attractive. Nowadays, as a result of
people's desire to consume healthier products for a healthier life, many families want to grow
products for their own consumption in their own homes. Aquaponic systems can be applied
in smaller areas without requiring soil and climate conditions. These systems, which can be
installed even in the garage, enable agricultural production at a level that can meet the needs
of a family. In addition, all family members can be involved in the system and take care of it.

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 Establishment of Smart farming and legislative
information

Establishing Aquaponic Systems

Different types of aquaponic systems

1. Domestic/small-scale aquaponics
Small-scale aquaponic systems are appropriate for domestic applications and small
production. Small-scale aquaponics are popular because they provide good quality produce
(FAO 2014). They are also part of various educational curricula in primary schools, secondary
schools as well as higher education institutions as a hands-on learning medium of introducing
populations to sustainable agricultural practices such as ‘’rainwater harvesting, nutrient
recycling and organic food production’’.

2. Large-scale (semi-commercial and commercial) aquaponics

Semi-commercial and commercial aquaponics usually make use of monoculture practices.
Larger-scale aquaponic systems involve a greater risk in terms of return of investment, hence
their small number (on international level) compared to smaller-scale systems (FAO 2014).
More specifically, such systems are characterized by the following:
● High initial investment requirements;
● Monoculture practices (i.e. lettuce cultivation);
● Currently mainly used for academic purposes and research instead of wide-scale food
production.

The Biological Components of aquaponics – How it Works

The term ‘Aquaponics’ refers to the integration of two elements in one system (FAO 2014):
● Aquaculture; the practice of farming of fish, aquatic plants etc.
● Hydroponics; the practice of growing plants without soil.
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An aquaponic unit is a symbiotic environment. It functions as a recirculating unit in the
following order/cycle:
1) Culture water exits the fish tank containing metabolic fish waste;
2) The water passes through a mechanical filter that captures solid waste;
3) The water then passes through a bio-filter that oxidizes ammonia to nitrate;

The bio-filter provides a habitat for bacteria colonies, which convert fish waste into nutrients
for plants.
4) These nutrients are dissolved in the water
5) The water then travels through plant grow beds where plants uptake the nutrients;

The water is filtered in the nutrient removal process. Toxic material such as ammonia and
nitrogen are removed from the water, thus allowing the fish to grow and continue the cycle.
6) The water returns, purified, to the fish tank.

The Biological Components in more detail:

1. The Nitrification Process

What is Nitrogen?
Nitrogen (N2) is a chemical element, essential for the existence of life. In gas form, Nitrogen
is the most abundant element in the Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere consists of
approximately 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen (O2) and 1% other gasses including Carbon Dioxide
(CO2) and Argon (Ar) (Helmenstine 2018). Nitrogen is the most important inorganic nutrient
for all plants. However, its molecular form (as found in the atmosphere) has to change before
plants can use it for growth; the change process is called ‘nitrogen-fixation’ (FAO 2014).

The Nitrogen Fixation Process

The Nitrogen Fixation process can happen naturally or synthetically (Britannica 2021):
1) The natural process: Micro-organisms (bacteria) in soil, harvest Nitrogen from the
atmosphere, which results in the production of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. The
products of the Nitrogen fixation process are nutrients for plants.
2) The synthetic process: In an industrial context, Ammonia can be synthesized from
atmospheric Nitrogen and Hydrogen using the ‘Haber-Bosch’* method. Commercially
produced ammonia is used in fertilizers.

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 * ‘‘The Haber-Bosch [chemical process] directly combines nitrogen from the air with
hydrogen under extremely high pressures and moderately high temperatures. A catalyst
made mostly from iron enables the reaction to be carried out at a lower temperature than
would otherwise be practicable, while the removal of ammonia from the batch as soon as
it is formed ensures that an equilibrium favouring product formation is maintained … For
commercial production, the reaction is carried out at pressures ranging from 200 to 400
atmospheres and at temperatures ranging from 400° to 650°.’’
Britannica, 2021

In nature, Ammonia is also created by bacteria and fungi which metabolize decaying dead
plants and animals. Ammonia is then metabolized by bacteria called ‘Nitrifying Bacteria’ and
converted into nitrites and nitrates (absorbed by the plants using their roots).

2. The Nitrification Process in Aquaponics: The Bio-filter

The nitrification by bacteria (in soil) also takes place in water in the same way. Nitrifying
bacteria convert ammonia from fish to nitrate, which is transferred to the plants in the grow
beds. Nitrification in aquaponic systems provides nutrients for the plants and eliminates
ammonia and nitrite which are toxic to the fish (FAO 2014).
The nitrification process consists of two groups of nitrifying bacteria:
a) The Ammonia-oxidizing Bacteria (AOB)
b) The Nitrite-oxidizing Bacteria (NOB)
The above two groups bacteria metabolize the ammonia in the following order:
1) AOB bacteria convert Ammonia (NH₃) into nitrite (NO₂)
2) NOB bacteria then convert nitrite (NO₂) into nitrate (NO₃).
The ‘Bio-filter bacteria’ healthy growth can be maintained by ensuring adequate surface area
and appropriate water conditions (pH 6-7, water temperature 17o – 34o, UV light protection).

Design and Installation of an Aquaponic Unit

Things to consider before building an Aquaponic Unit (FAO 2014):
1. Location:
● Will the Unit be installed outdoors? Will it be shaded? Will it be installed in a
greenhouse?
● What components do we need and how are we going to move them? Is the
Unit stable with strong supporting structure?
● Is there a risk of obstruction to water flow? Is the ground level and solid?

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 ● How can we stabilize the fish tanks and thermally isolate them from the
ground?
● Are we considering installing our Unit on a rooftop? How much weight can it
hold?
2. Protection from the elements:
● Will the Unit be protected from the elements?
● How can we secure the power source and electrical wires and sockets? Is the
Unit flood-proof?
● Will the Unit be exposed to sufficient sunlight? Do our specific plants require
direct sunlight exposure or shade? How can we protect our fish from direct
sunlight?
3. Accessibility and Utility
● Have we isolated our power outlets to reduce risk of electrical shock?
● Do we have access to a water source?
● Is our installation safe from theft, vandalism or invasions from other animals?

Essential Structural, Biological and Mechanical Components of

Aquaponic Units

1. The Fish Tank

Round tanks (made of UV resistant plastic or fiberglass) with flat bottoms are preferable.
Round tanks allow water to circulate uniformly, transporting waste towards the center of the
tank by centripetal force. Other shapes (i.e. square) require more active waste removal. Fish
tanks should be covered to prevent fish from jumping out; for example, materials such as
agricultural shading nets block most the sunlight and can be used safely (FAO 2014).

2. The Fish
The list of aquatic species that are proven to flourish in Aquaponic Systems include: Tilapia,
Common carp, Silver carp, Grass carp, Barramundi, Jade perch, Catfish, Trout, Murray cod,
Prawns and Largemouth bass. It is important to be aware of local regulations regarding the
imports of new fish species. Some species, if released, can be a threat to the local ecosystems
(FAO 2014).

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Fish Health and Disease Management (FAO 2014)
The most important aspect of good fish health is the maintenance of good water quality. Good
water quality strengthens the fish immune systems and makes it more resistant to diseases
and parasites. Good practices that help farmers ensure their fish are healthy:
● Daily observation of fish behaviour; look for signs of stress, disease and parasites. The
best time to observe fish behaviour is during feeding time. In general, fins should be
extended, tails should be straight, normal and graceful swimming. There should be no
marks along their bodies and no discoloration. Fish should not be breathing air from
the surface; if such behaviour is observed, check water quality.
● Maintain a low-stress environment; maintenance of good water quality according to
the needs of specific fish species.
● Stock the fish tank accordingly, do not overpopulate and do not overfeed.

3. Mechanical Filtration - Waste Separator/Clarifier

Fish waste can be damaging to an aquaponic system in two ways (FAO 2014,
HowToAquaponic 2021):
a) If waste is left to decompose in the fish tank, harmful gasses are released by
bacteria. Mechanical filtration is essential for removing waste and preventing any
harm to the fish. Mechanical filtration is the process of separating and removing
fish waste from the tanks.
b) Solid fish waste can clog systems and disrupt water flow and oxygen supply to the
plant roots.

Types of mechanical filters

● Clarifier: a reservoir with a plate in the
middle, which separates solids by letting them
settle at the bottom. The reservoir can be
have any shape as long as it is big enough to
retain the solids for above 20 minutes.

Source: www.howtoaquaponics.com

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● Radial Flow Separator: the most common
method of mechanical filtration used in
Aquaponics. It is structurally more
complicated than a clarifier but similar in
function as well as more efficient.

Source: www.howtoaquaponics.com

● Raft filters: filters made out of Matala

(flexible fiber compounds) mesh sheets. They
need to be cleaned manually when clogged up.
When the filters get clogged up, water will flow
over the top of the mats, protecting the filter tank
from overflow.

Source: https://aquaponix.wordpress.com/solids-
filter-for-domestic-aquaponics-systems/

● Filter Sock: used exclusively in small-scale Units.

They can be used to trap solid waste, in order to
test the quantity that passes through the
filtration system. Source: www.howtoaquaponics.com

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 ● Vortex Separator: used in small-scale Units. They are
shaped like a barrel, and solid waste is collected at
the bottom with the motion of water (swirl/vortex).

Source: www.howtoaquaponics.com

4. Bio-filtration: The bio-filter facilitates the process bacteria converting ammonia and nitrite
into nitrate. In an quaponic Unit, the bio-filter is responsible for processing the waste particles
that cannot be captured by the mechanical filter (FAO 2014, AquaponicTrend 2018). Bio-
filters in Aquaponic Units are designed to have a large surface area supplied with oxygenated
water and are installed somewhere between the hydroponic containers with plants and the
mechanical filter (FAO 2014, AquaponicTrend 2018).
Bio-filter media:
● Plastic balls: an ideal bio-filter material, because they have a very large surface area in
relation to their volume;
● Volcanic gravel;
● Plastic bottle caps;
● Nylon shower poufs;
● Netting;
● PVC shavings;
● Nylon scrub pads.

The bio-filter should be filled as much as possible, to

maximize the surface area. It is good practice to oversize
the bio-filter during the construction of the Aquaponic
Unit, while there is always the possibility to add more
filters in the future if necessary.

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In terms of maintenance, bio-filters need:
a) Occasional stirring/agitating to prevent clogging
b) Occasional rinsing to avoid the creation of anoxic
areas on their surface

Above: Two examples of Bio-filter media

Source: www.howtoaquaponics.com

Starting a Bacterial Colony (Bio-filter)

The process of establishing a bacterial colony in an Aquaponic Unit – also known as ‘System
Cycling’ is a slow process usually taking three to five weeks.
The System Cycling process:
● It involves the introduction of ammonia into the bacterial colony, creating the bio-
filter.
● The progress is measured by monitoring the nitrogen levels. As the nitride
oxidising bacteria increase and nitrite is converted into nitrate, the nitrite levels in
the water will start to decline.
● The end of the cycling process is defined as when the nitrate level is steadily
increasing, the nitrite level is 0 mg/litre and the ammonia level is less than
1 mg/litre.

Tip: During the cycling process there will be high levels of ammonia and nitrite, which could
be harmful to fish. The process to establish the bio-filter should start before introducing fish
into the system. Additionally, make sure all aquaponic components, in particular the biofilter
and fish tank, are protected from direct sunlight before starting the process. Ammonia should
be continuously, but cautiously, added to ensure adequate food for the developing colony
without becoming toxic (FAO 2014).

5. The Media Beds – Hydroponic Component (RGJ Aquaponics 2018)

In an Aquaponic Unit, the media beds act as the plant-growing section. Media Bed types:
● Media Bed Units: the most popular media for plant growth. They are simple in
design, and can be made from low-cost/recyclable everyday materials such as
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 plastic, fibreglass or wood. In media bed units, the medium both supports the
roots of the plants and acts as a filter.
● Nutrient Film Technique Units (RGJ Aquaponics 2018): In the context of NFT, plants
are placed in the top of horizontal pipes through which flows a stream of aquaponic water.
Seeds are placed into plastic net cups filled with hydroponic media, which are in turn placed

An example of a Nutrient Film Unit setup

Source: https://rgjaquaponics.weebly.com/aquaponic-systems.html

in the pipes. NFT is most useful in urban applications, due to space limitations. NFT Units
require dedicated filtration unlike Media Bed Units.

An example of a Media Bed Unit setup

Source: https://rgjaquaponics.weebly.com/media-bed-technique.html#

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 ● Deep Water Culture Units (RGJ Aquaponics 2018): Most commonly applied in
large-scale Aquaponics, the DWC method involves suspending plants in
polystyrene sheets with their roots submersed in aquaponic water. The water flow
principles in DWC are similar to those seen in an NFT Unit; canals are used to
circulate the water through the planting area. DWC Units require aeration (the
process of air being circulated through or mixed with a liquid) since canals can be
densely planted and lack of oxygen for the plants is a real risk. A simple way to

An example of a Deep Water Unit setup

Source: https://rgjaquaponics.weebly.com/deep-water-culture.html

achieve aeration is by using small air stones and placing them in the canals.

6. Water Pumps: Water movement is essential for the survival of living organisms in an
Aquaponic Unit. Without moving water, there will be a reduction in oxygen as well as
accumulation of fish waste in the fish tank, killing the fish in a few hours (FAO 2014).
It is common practice to cycle the volume of water in a system once or twice in an hour,
depending on the density of fish and plants; In densely stocked systems, it is recommended
to cycle the water twice an hour. For example, if an Aquaponic system contains 1000 litres of
water, the water pump of should be able to move 2000 per hour (FAO 2014).
There are three commonly used methods of moving water through a system:

● Submersible impeller water pumps are the most commonly used type of pumps.
It is important to install the submersible pump in an accessible location, to enable

21
 easy periodic cleaning (every two to three weeks) or when necessary. Submersible
pumps will take catastrophic damage if they work in dry conditions; they must
always work in water (FAO 2014).

An example of a Submersible Water Pump

Source: https://aquaponicsplansplant.blogspot.com/2016/09/diy-aquaponics-water-pump.html

• Airlift pumps: in an Airlift Pump, air is forced to the bottom of a pipe within the fish
tank, forming bubbles which transport water as they move to the top of the tank.
Water is oxygenated through the vertical movement of the bubbles. Airlift pumps have
longer lifespans that submersible pumps and are more economical since they can
accommodate both aeration and water circulation. This way, there is no need to
purchase a second pump (FAO 2014).

22
 Layout of an Airlift Pump
Source: https://aquaponictrend.blogspot.com/2018/08/aquaponic-air-lift-pump.html

● Human power is also an option and some very small Aquaponic systems are
designed to use it in a few ways; buckets, pulleys, modified bicycles, header tanks
or other means can be used to move water around the system. When used
together with other techniques, human powered water movement techniques can
contribute to sufficient mixing of nutrients and oxygenation of water (FAO 2014).

7. The plants
Plant Selection: Plant selection is influenced by the grow technique used. Media bed units
are commonly used for polyculture of leafy greens, herbs and fruiting vegetables. Culture of

23
fruiting plants needs larger grow pipes, so plants such as tomatoes are planted using NFT units
(FAO 2014).
Additionally, vegetables vary as per their overall nutrient demand and are categorized as
follows: a) low demand, b) high demand and c) medium demand. The list of popular
plants/vegetables grown in Aquaponic Units includes (among others) (FAO 2014):
● Cauliflower (medium demand)
● Lettuce (low demand)
● Parsley (low demand)
● Cabbage (medium demand)
● Tomatoes (high demand)
● Cucumbers (high demand)
● Peppers (high demand)

Root crops such as onions, beets and garlic are not preferred to be grown in Aquaponic Units
due to their sensitivity and high nutrient demands. If root crops are the farmer’s choice, they
are only grown in deep media beds.

Plant Harvesting: It is important to consider the balance of the ecosystem of the Unit before
harvesting. Harvesting all plants at once should be avoided because the water will not be
sufficiently cleaned. On the other hand, the presence of too many plants would result in
ecosystem nutrient deficiency. Harvesting cycles should be balanced with re-planting cycles
(FAO 2014).

Plant Pest and Disease Control: The term ‘Plant Health’ refers to ‘’the overall status of well-
being that allows a plant to achieve its full productive potential’’ (FAO 2014). It involves the
following aspects:
● Management of pathogens and pets
● Optimal nutrition
● Planting techniques
● Environmental management

To maximize plant health, farmers need to have knowledge on the characteristics/needs of

the plants they grow so they can address issues and prevent/combat risks (FAO 2014).
The ecosystem of an Aquaponic Unit is isolated from harsh weather conditions, thus it
becomes a favourable habitat for microorganisms and small insects, including those that are
harmful to plants such as whiteflies and cabbage moths. In ‘traditional’ agriculture, farmers
solve this problem using chemical pesticides and insecticides. In the context of Aquaponics,

24
this is impossible because such chemicals are toxic to the fish as well as the bacteria in the
bio-filters (FAO 2014).
Plant health management in Aquaponics involves:
a) Crop and environmental management
b) Use of organic and biological pest deterrents

In the context of Aquaponic ecosystems, Plant health management without the use of
pesticides integrated in the production process is called ‘‘Integrated production and pest
management (IPPM)’’ (FAO 2014).

IPMM Controls include the use of: netting and screens, multilevel installations, hand
inspection and removal of pests and sticky traps, plant spacing, crop rotation and more.
Additionally, farmers can make use of beneficial predator insects to prevent infestations. In
terms of environmental controls, farmers may be able to control ambient temperature and
humidity in their space, water temperature, planting densities, plant choice and nutrition and
more (FAO 2014).

THE BUSINESS PLAN

The Business Plan is the most essential component of a start-up; it creates opportunity create
a road map by thinking through and plan every aspect of a future business (European Business
Review 2021, EU Business School 2021, GoGreenAquaponics 2021):

● The Organization
● Marketing Strategy
● The Operation Strategy
● Financial Strategy

Ultimately, the aim of a Business Plan is to convince stakeholders (employees, partners,

sponsors, investors, etc.) that a business idea is good and that the business will be a success.

Before beginning the development of their Business Plan, aspiring entrepreneurs should
consider the following (GoGreenAquaponics 2021):
● The values of the business and the type of the organization (i.e. Non-profit
organization, Social Enterprise, income source etc.)
● Personal experience and opportunities for training, or seeking expertise elsewhere
both for business plan development and for business operations

25
 ● The type of produce grown by the business
● Who will run the business and the location of business
● The available financial resources
● The environmental aspects of the business and local legislations

MAIN SECTIONS OF A BUSINESS PLAN:

1. The Executive Summary/Overview

The Executive Summary is exactly what the title suggests; it summarizes the content of the
business plan, the business idea and all main aspects. The overview should include:
● A brief ‘Vision Statement’; the statement incorporates the value of the business,
target market, product overview, geographic reach of the business and profitability
● Overview of the business goals

2. The Organizational Plan

The Organizational Plan is a lengthy section that must include:
● Description of the Business; What is the nature of the business? Why was the company
formed?
● The Company Mission; definition of the key goals
● Strategy and Strategic relationships; What are the short-term and long-term goals and
what is the strategy to achieve them? Who are the people/organizations that will be
involved with the company and in what way?
● The Administrative Plan and Intellectual Properties
● Overview of products and services
● The location of the business

3. The Marketing Plan

The Marketing Plan includes market analysis, advertising and sales strategy, public relations
strategy and details on the products and services of the business. Specifically, the Marketing
Plan includes:
● Details about the products and services of the business, and in the context of an
Aquaponics enterprise; what is the growing/production process? Who are the
suppliers of raw materials? What is the availability of raw materials? How will the
products be promoted?

26
 ● Market Analysis; identification of demographics and market specifics, identification of
competition, market trends and market research results
● The Marketing Strategy; branding information, sales and distribution methods,
pricing, product packaging, advertising strategy, public relations etc.
● SWOT Analysis

4. The Operation Strategy

The Operation Strategy describes:
● The concept of Culture methods used (i.e. Aquaponics), Crop and/or Fish management
● Product management strategy, yield estimates, harvesting schedules
● Farm size and capacity, physical resource needs and management
● Management information; who will be running the business? What will be their
responsibilities?
● Personnel information; How many employees will be employed? What will be their
positions and what are the necessary qualifications for employment? How many
hours will they work and at what wage? Will the business be employing more people
in the future?
● Organization Chart
● Regulation requirements and policies

5. The Financial Strategy

A Business Plan must contain a financial analysis of the business, including projections for the
next three years. When presenting the Financial Strategy, the use of charts and tables is highly
recommended. The Financial Strategy section of a Business Plan should include:
● Set-up costs; establishment, infrastructure and equipment costs.
● A three-year projection of income and expenditures (operational costs, staff costs
etc.).
● Break-Even Analysis, Financial Risk Analysis
● Financial Risk Management strategy

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 CEA Controlled Environment Agriculture

Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) is a technology-based approach toward food

production. The aim of CEA 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. Plants are often grown using hydroponic methods
in order to supply the proper amounts of water and nutrients to the root zone. CEA optimizes
the use of resources such as water, energy, space, capital and labor. CEA technologies
include hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaculture, aquaponics, etc. Different techniques are
available for growing food in controlled environment agriculture. The more viable option
is vertical farming. Vertical farming has the ability to produce crops all year round in a
controlled environment, with the possibility of increased yield by adjusting the amount of
carbon and nutrients the plants receive (Benke et al). In consideration to urban agriculture,
CEA can exist inside buildings that already exist, such as repurposed abandoned buildings.

28
Controllable variables:
● Temperature (air, nutrient solution, root-zone, leaf)
● Humidity (%RH)
● Carbon dioxide (CO2)
● Light (intensity, spectrum, duration and intervals)
● Nutrient concentration (PPM, EC)
● Nutrient pH (acidity)
● Pests
CEA facilities can range from fully 100% environmentally controlled enclosed closed loop
systems, to fully automated glasshouses with computer controls for watering, lighting and
ventilation, to low-tech solutions such as cloches or plastic film on field grown crops and
plastic-covered tunnels.
CEA methods can be used to grow literally any crop, though the reality is a crop has to be
economically viable and this will vary considerably due to local market pricing, and resource
costs.

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Types of Growing Environments

Depending on country or region or type of grower, different words are used to describe the
same thing. Here is a short description of the different growing environments for CEA:
● Indoor Growing / Indoor Farming
Indoor growing and indoor farming refer to crop production that utilizes supplemental
lighting, such LED lights instead of sunlight, and gives the ability to control the environment.
This type of controlled environment agriculture can include rooms, warehouses, containers,
factories and other converted indoor spaces not usually created for growing crops.
● Vertical Farming
Vertical farming is crop production that uses the vertical space. Plants can be stacked
horizontally or in tall towers. This style of farming is great for small spaces like shipping
containers or other high-density spaces as it requires less land to cultivate.
● Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a glass or polycarbonate structure that uses sunlight in crop production.
Variables like temperature, humidity and sunlight need to be considered carefully
when growing produce in greenhouses, particularly during the summer months.
● Protected Cropping
Protected cropping refers to when crops that are grown outdoors with some protection
against the elements, e.g. under hoop houses, tunnel houses or canopies. Pest control is
harder to manage as the crops are exposed to the elements, however the protection can offer
value when it comes to rain, hail and frost.

Types of Growing Methods

Within a crop production environment, plants can be grown using different methods. By far
the most popular method is hydroponics. Here are a few types of growing methods you can
use in controlled environment agriculture.
● Hydroponics
Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil as a medium while delivering water,
nutrients and oxygen. The plants can be grown in a variety of mediums like sand, gravel,
rockwool, coconut fiber and oasis cubes. It is a great sustainable way of growing with water -
expect potential savings between 70% and 90% depending on the type of crop and your set-
up. There are different types of hydroponic systems including:
- N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique)

30
- Drip System
- Ebb & Flow (also known as Flood & Drain)
- Wick
- Water Culture (also known as Deep Water Culture)
Crops grown using this method include microgreens, leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers,
strawberries, herbs and medicinal cannabis.

● Aeroponics
Aeroponics is the growing of plants without soil and using little water. The roots of the plant
are suspended in air and sprayed with a nutrient and water solution. Generally, the roots are
in an enclosed environment to ensure the nutrient mist is captured by the root structures.
Aeroponics is typically used within greenhouses, using sunlight as the main light source with
supplemental lighting if needed. Aeroponics has been noted as the most water sustainable
type of growing, using 90% less water than some hydroponic systems, which are already
considered to be sustainable themselves.
● Aquaponics
Aquaponics is a method of controlled environment agriculture that uses a combination of
aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics. In a flourishing ecosystem, the waste from the fish

31
(ammonium and urea) and the bacteria in the system deliver all the required nutrients to the
plants. Aquaponics relies on fast growing fish (tilapia, perch, catfish, trout, etc.) in order to
supply the needs of the plants and can be set up indoors as they don’t require soil. Water can
then be recycled back to the fish. Each species nurtures the other with no requirement for
chemical fertilizers.
● Fogponics (also known as mistponics)
Fogponics has been described as the next phase of aeroponic technology. Using the same
basic premise of suspending the root system in the air in an enclosed environment and
supplying the plant with water and nutrients, fogponics uses droplets that are practically
vapor. The nutrient-rich fog is delivered to the stems, leaves and roots for faster and better
absorption.

Key Points: Controlled environment agriculture has expanded rapidly since the late 1990s as
growers use strategically located grow houses to extend production seasons and achieve
transportation efficiencies. A few big growers control a large share of the CEA market and
consolidation in the retail food industry will further enhance their market influence. High
costs of capital, labor, and knowledge are barriers to entry for new, or small, CEA operations.
Many growers fail by not anticipating capital needs and not aligning scale to match sales. CEA
growers using hydroponic technology are realizing lucrative price premiums, and are
benefiting from significantly higher crop yields and an extended growing season, compared
to field-grown produce. While risks are high for small producers, opportunities exist for those
who capture price premiums in niche markets.

32
The power of fresh, local and sustainable: Consumers, especially those in urban areas, are
seeking locally produced food. Production increases have also been fueled by:
• Price premiums that high-quality produce carries.
• Retailers’ need for a year-round supply of fresh produce.
• The consistency of indoor production.
The result is that CEA hydroponic produce – particularly tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers
– has evolved from a high-end niche category to being an important part of retailer produce
programs.

High risk, high reward: Establishing a CEA hydroponic vegetable operation requires
considerable capital investment. Depending on the size of the operation and the level of
technology involved, the capex can run into the tens of millions of dollars. In addition, these
types of systems usually have high operating costs. This is a huge challenge for growers and
has implications for the length of time it takes for them to realize a profit. Knowledge is a
further barrier to entry. The success of a CEA hydroponic venture requires skilled labor and a
range of horticultural, engineering, and business skills. Hydroponics can be very profitable,
but the stakes are high given the required level of investment and knowhow. Because of this
– if and when businesses fail – the losses can be significant.

Recipe for success: CEA farming can be a very profitable business, but it is also very risky with
a steep learning curve. While the failure rate is high, there are many successful growers. So,
what does it take to succeed in this industry? Growers come in many shapes and sizes, and
there is a lot of variation in the how, what, and where of production. But no matter the size
of the operation or the crops produced, the following fundamentals are foundational to
grower success:
• Operational cost. The newer production systems are much more capital intensive with high
startup and working capital needs. Growers often run into cash flow problems early on
because they don’t realize just how high these costs are.
• Assessment of the market. It is imperative that growers target and serve a sustainable
market. They need to practically assess demand and determine whether profitable margins
are possible given their level of output and the market price. Producers should think carefully
before scaling an operation to meet customer demand and follow a market-driven approach
when making planting decisions.
• Assessment of competition. Differentiation from the commodity market and other
competitors is key to having a profitable and thriving business. Successful growers have
managed to create a better value proposition by producing a quality (branded) product that
demands a price premium.

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Nevertheless, aside from the preceding fundamentals, there are several common
misconceptions about CEA farming that can trip up prospective growers. These include, but
are not limited to:
• Assuming full production from the start when it usually takes a year or two to get to full
production.
• Miscalculating and misunderstanding operational costs, especially labor and energy costs.
Costs can vary by crop type and production period.
• These types of production systems cut out pest and disease problems.
• Misunderstanding the importance and cost of providing adequate light.
• All product that is grown will be sold.
• Customers will remain loyal.
• Underestimating the importance, affordability, and availability of highly skilled labor and
greenhouse managers. The value of having a reliable, capable workforce can’t be stressed
enough.
• Thinking that the crop will grow itself. It may not be conventional agriculture, but CEA is still
commercial crop farming.

Data visualization and analytics

Furthermore, visualization of data through various CEA toolsets will further improve data
analysis by providing a tool for reporting, interpretation and near-real time monitoring of
growth performance. By leveraging climate data, comprehensive reports on environmental
conditions of utmost importance, especially under field conditions, will be integrated in the
farmers’ daily work, aiming to decrease experimental variability and increase objectivity in
measurement of production and detection of potential problems.
Advanced toolsets will also be able to visualize geospatial information on a number of
elements that will be and calculated by proximal, aerial and spaceborne images over time,
such as crop physical and biophysical parameters and earth observation (EO) derived
vegetation indices, and will be provided in the farmers’ mobile devices accompanied with
useful statistics based on the relevant agricultural cycle. Hence, a database will be able to be
assigned to each CEA location, containing a number of diverse data, collected during the
agricultural cycle.
CEA will – sooner or later – disrupt traditional practices by exploiting various data sources and
innovative ICT technologies, including mobile/cloud computing and the Internet of Things
(IoT), location-based monitoring (earth observation, proximal and remote sensing, geotagged

34
information) and big data (web of data, linked open data), combining them with machine
learning and advanced image recognition technologies, and delivering a valuable mix of tools
to support efficient plant breeding strategies.

35
 Best Practices in Urban Farming

1. Definition of Urban Farming

Urban agriculture, urban farming, or urban gardening is the practice of cultivating, processing,
and distributing food in or around urban areas. Urban agriculture can also involve animal
husbandry, aquaculture, agroforestry, urban beekeeping, and horticulture. These activities
occur in peri-urban areas as well, and peri-urban agriculture may have different
characteristics.
Urban agriculture (UA) can be used as a mechanism to contribute to food security in each of
the four dimensions. The FAO (2007) has defined urban agriculture as “the growing of plants
and the raising of animals for food and other uses within and around cities and towns, and
related activities such as the production and delivery of inputs, processing and marketing of
products.” further specifies this by maintaining that UA is integrated into the local economic
and ecological system of cities and can include nearby towns and suburbs (peri-urban areas)
that supply to urban areas.
Urban agriculture has become a means to increase access to locally grown food and a way of
reintroducing the public to the many aspects of food that we have lost as a culture. How food
grows, what grows regionally and seasonally are all important lessons and make a better
informed urban consumer. Urban farms can be the front line of the food system.
For some the term urban implies inner city, like where Greensgrow is. For others, urban has
come to mean areas that are on the perimeter of cities (what some refer to as peri-urban).
There is no single characterization of size or placement; some are on rooftops, on landfills,
brownfields, or areas where housing or industry may have been demolished. Some cities are
giving up part of their park systems to allow urban farmers to plant their seeds. Every urban
farm is different just as every rural farm is different.
Urban agriculture (AU), recently indicated by FAO as a way out of poverty, actually plays a
strategic role for the quality of life of the cities, where the majority of the world population is
concentrated, helping to ensure security food in developing countries and to increase the
offer of environmental services everywhere

36
2. Urban Farming in the world
The architectural transformation of the rural environment will continue to accelerate as the
growth of the urban population imposes greater demands. Consequently, the result will be
the need for higher agricultural production, the use of less water, less energy and less land.
In fact, Urban Farming has several goals, not only to bring benefits to the economy, but also
to improve the environment and create a sense of community. Some best practices can be
found in Belgium, United Arab Emirates, Italy, and the Netherlands.

● Belgium
The practices of urban agriculture present in Belgium are divided into the examples listed
below.

Urban Crop Solutions

Urban Crop Solutions offers end-to-end solutions for indoor vertical farming. The company
carries out various activities:
- Helps to select the right plant varieties to get the best harvest
- Designs, manufactures and installs automatic installation units capable of adapting to
the needs of each company.
- Supports the customer in the production and sustenance of the crop. Any crop can be
grown under LED light anywhere on the planet, all year round.
Thanks to a team of engineers, their activity is based on "Grow-How", ie the biology of indoor
plants. In fact, the company has developed dedicated LED lighting, flexible fertigation, a
dedicated air conditioning system and remote access control software.

Urban Smart Farm - De Punt

The Urban Smart Farm produces micro greens, herbs, fish and giant shrimp in recycled
transport containers. Their goal is the sustainable production of several layers of fresh food
(vertical agriculture).
Urban Smart Farm is a combination of natural production and clean technology. Aquaponics,
LED lighting and insect feeds improve the sustainable production of fresh vegetables, herbs,
micro vegetables, fish and shrimp.

37
Veggie Bros - Vertical Farming Systems from Urban Cultivator - Minigarden
Véritable creates and produces innovative indoor vegetable gardens that make it possible to
effortlessly grow, harvest and enjoy tasty aromatic herbs all year round. Véritable gardens
are available in two sizes and with a choice of 3 variants:
- CLASSIC: with standard lighting for 16 hours per day,
- SMART: with adaptive brightness depending on the light intensity of the environment
and
- CONNECT: with lighting programming, maintenance, pruning and culinary tips, can be
operated and received via the Véritable iOS or Android app.

BIGH - Ferme Abattoir

Their mission is to build a network of sustainable aquaponic urban farms in major cities of
Belgium. They grow fresh & tasty produce locally for cities using an aquaponic system which
is sustainable, highly productive, and pesticide free.

38
BIGH integrates farms with existing buildings to benefit from waste energy and reduce their
environmental impact. They design their farms with the circular economy in mind, their
building materials are cradle-to-cradle where possible, sustainable and can be up-cycled. The
farms are designed to make the best use of water and energy, and to reduce the heat island
effect. Like most Urban Farming projects, one of their aims is to create spaces to encourage
greater biodiversity in cities.

● United Arab Emirates

Pure Harvest
In the UAE, the focus is increasingly on greenhouses and vertical farming. One of the more
recent examples is Pure Harvest Smart Farms, which is located in Nahel, and is currently
capable of producing and selling high quality tomatoes. The great advantage of this country
are the numerous European partnerships and that it has always relied on imports, thanks also
to the great technological development it has had over the years. The industrial sector in the
Arab Emirates is facing a great moment of advancement.
Pure Harvest is recognized as a futuristic reality for the local production of high-yielding fruit
and vegetables for twelve months of the year. This is a very important reality in the country,
as demonstrated by the presence of people of a certain kind, such as some ministers of the
Arab government and the Dutch ambassador, at a high-level event, for exemple. Therefore,
Pure Harvest confirmed that it will be committed to addressing challenges such as food safety,
water conservation and sustainability. It is in these concepts that the future of the countries

39
of the Middle East is threatened. For obvious geographical and climatic reasons, Middle
Eastern countries have always been too dependent on imports from abroad.
Precisely for this reason, it is not surprising that the industry is experiencing unprecedented
development, as mentioned above. As stated by Eurofruit, several greenhouses have recently
been opened in the country. An example of this is “Ras Al Khaimah”, founded last year. The
latter has set itself the goal of producing, to then sell, 1.2 million tons of sustainable
vegetables, which benefit from Hydroponics technology and which do not contain pesticides.
However, once the expansion plan is completed, it is expected to reach 4 million tons per
year.

Badia Farms
Dubai is home to "Badia Farms", a company founded by Omar Al Jundi: this is the first vertical
indoor farm in the Gulf region and is known for providing microgreens and herbs to the best
restaurants, restaurateurs and chefs in the city. Badia’s mission is to close the gap between
the farm and the chef’s kitchen.
Using the latest hydroponics technology, they are growing delicious, nutritious micro-greens
and herbs without sunlight, soil, or pesticides. Their revolutionary farming methods use up to
80 percent less water, they are energy-efficient and sustainable.
The techy term for it all is hydroponics, which is a technique for growing produce without soil.
Seeds are planted in a sterile, soil-less growing environment and then grown in nutrient-rich
water. Water is recycled, and everything from air and water temperature through to humidity
and lighting are controlled to create the perfect growing environment.

40
Vertical farms can grow non-native produce in locations where traditional agricultural
methods are impossible. Also, there’s no exposure to the hazards of traditional farming, such
as bugs, diseases, pesticides and weather.
The UAE has established strategic partnerships with the private sector to create a favorable
environment and promote agricultural investment, underlining that the goal is to ensure a
sufficient supply of products to the local market, while promoting food safety advances to
place the UAE in the top ten in the global food safety index by 2022, in accordance with the
National Food Security Strategy of 2051

Al Dahra BayWa
Al Dahra BayWa greenhouse was founded in Al Ain in October last year. This is expected to
produce 3,000 tons of tomatoes per year. Also in this case there is no shortage of European
contributions: the greenhouse is in fact part of a 40 million euro joint venture (167 million
euro in local currency) between BayWa in Germany and Al Dahra in Abu Dhabi.
They use a safer and more sustainable medium to grow their tomatoes. While soil is most
common, they use Rockwool - made from rock fiber that it is reusable and provides roots with
the ideal environment to flourish. Excess run off water is also collected and reused to
maximize water efficiency and at the same time creating a safer alternative to soil, which has
the potential to carry bad bacteria and fungi. This way, all the goodness gets to the plant and
isn’t reserved in soil.

41
 ● Italy
The Urban Farming sector is experiencing rapid expansion in Italy. In fact, the trend has grown
after Expo 2015 and the pandemic is accelerating the process, both due to the need to have

42
greater self-sufficiency, quality and safety of what we eat, and because it is becoming one of
the most promising green sectors on which to direct financial resources.

Planet farms

Planet Farms was born in Milan, combining the great Italian agronomic tradition with the
excellence of technical and IT specialization, without compromising the quality and taste
requirements that are the pillars of the millenary Italian food tradition.

Planet Farms was the first to bring the revolution in cultivation methods to Italy. Their work
is aimed at bringing benefits to everyone, from industry to the environment, and especially
to consumers.

Their plants are grown in multi-layered structures within pristine and controlled
environments which are independent from external environmental conditions to obtain truly
exceptional produce.

Their products represent the new evolution in clean and sustainable farming. Every individual
plant is constantly and accurately nurtured with the monitoring of every aspect of the growth
process, from light to temperature, from humidity to the purification of air and water. The
entire growing process, from seed to harvest, is meticulously studied in order to guarantee
the absolute certainty of quality and traceability of their plants

Agricola Moderna

Another Urban Farming reality born near Milan, whose mission is "We produce fresh and
healthy vegetables. For people and for our planet ", deals with Vertical Farming, a technique
based on the use of vertical structures, whether they are shelves or buildings. They aim to
recreate the environmental situations suitable for the growth of various types of plants and
vegetables, trying to reduce transport costs from the producer to the consumer and
management costs.

43
Vertical farming is a cultivation technique conducted in a closed environment in which the
plants - for example carrots, broccoli, basil - are grown in an artificially controlled manner and
with a hydroponic method. Its added value is the strong sustainability and the lower waste of
water compared to traditional agriculture and the less intensive use of the cultivation land.
They use LED lights with a spectrum of wavelengths of light that are absorbed by plants for
photosynthesis and use natural nutrients, filtered and recycled water, modified air depending
on the CO2 needs of the plants and zero use of pests or chemicals.

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Hexagro

Hexagro is a Milanese company that develops vertical farming technologies. During the Covid-
19 crisis they launched their product, Poty, which aims to be not only a market product, but
also an Urban Farming project aimed at creating a community that shares lifestyle and values.

The urban garden of the Milanese company has a vertically modular structure, consisting of
several four-leaf clover vases, which can be combined one on top of the other; each
component is made of metal or recycled plastic to develop a circular economy model that
fights waste and leads to the reuse of every material.

The technology supporting Poty makes this vertical garden attractive even for those who are
not particularly inclined to gardening. In fact, there is an autonomous irrigation system, but
also a chatbot that guides through the stages of cultivation and can help when the fruits are
late in arriving or the leaves of a plant turn yellow: just take a photo and send it to receive the
advice of an agronomist from Hexagro.

45
The commitment of the public administration
As for the Italian public sector, it should be noted that many public administrations are
working on issues related to Urban Farming and agricultural production in the city, with two
objectives: on the one hand to redevelop the abandoned areas of the city, on the other to
pursue sustainability and resilience objectives that are now essential. Numerous urban plans
are being created that often integrate agriculture and urban reforestation.

● Olanda
In the early 2000s, the Dutch committed nationwide to a new form of sustainable agriculture,
which has seen the elimination of chemical pesticides in greenhouses and a 60% reduction in
antibiotics since 2009. Meanwhile, leading innovation on Urban Farming is Wageningen
University & Research (WUR), an institution regarded as one of the world's leading
researchers in agriculture.
The research result shows that the Netherlands mainly offers two rather relevant examples
of Urban Farming.

Floating Farm
The first example concerns the fact that the port of Rotterdam has been enriched by the
Floating Farm: a farm built on water to make healthy and genuine food accessible to all the
inhabitants of the city. The structure is 100% green and completely sustainable. Every day you
can buy fresh milk, yogurt, butter and cheeses.
The project represents the right solution to flood problems. Indeed, since the city has to cope
with the discharge of water from rivers, at ever higher sea levels and more violent rainfall,
floating buildings represent the right compromise. By building a floating farm, food
production can continue even during a flood.
The project was conceived by the Dutch Carel de Vries of the Courage agri-food institute,
Johan Bosman of the association dedicated to the development of urban agriculture Uit Je
Eigen Stad and Peter van Wingerden of Beladon, a leading company in the construction of
buildings in water.
The farm is transparent, so that visitors can see what is happening inside the Floating Farm.
The milk is transformed into fresh products, the manure is separated and then reused as a

46
rich and organic fertilizer for the plants of the city, gardens and parks. Even the robots used
for milking, for slurry and for feeding are exposed and visible to all.
Floating Farm contributes to the goal of a circular city by recycling Rotterdam's biomass into
dairy products of value for the city's residents. All the necessary energy is provided by floating
solar panels and rainwater is collected on the roof and then purified. Most of the livestock
feed comes from the city. Cow food consists of wheat, bran, potato peelings, and grass from
city playgrounds or golf courses. The cows turn these "waste products" into healthy dairy
products for local residents.
Finally, by bringing food transport closer to the consumer, the Floating Farm offers an
important contribution to food waste and obviously to pollution related to transport.

DakAkker
DakAkker is a 1000m2 rooftop farm on top of the Schieblock in Rotterdam. Vegetables, edible
flowers and fruit are grown and bees are raised. It is considered the largest rooftop farm in
the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. The Smartroof is a test site for water storage
and management. The substrate of the Optigrün vegetable garden is distributed throughout
the roof.
The Optigrün rooftop system consists of several layers: an absorbent protective layer, a
drainage buffer layer and a filter layer with the roof's plant substrate on top. No fertilizer is
used and no poison is sprayed, a 6-year alternating growing schedule is used.

47
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