AC/DC technology is revolutionizing controlled environment agriculture in desert ecosystems

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Date

2022-03-29

Date Issued

2022-03-29

Contributes to SDGs

SDG 2 - Zero hungerSDG 8 - Decent work and economic growthSDG 11 - Sustainable cities and communitiesSDG 12 - Responsible consumption and productionSDG 13 - Climate action

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Citation

Arash Nejatian, Abdoul Aziz Niane, Vinay Nangia, Amal Hassan Al Ahmadi, Tahra Naqbi, Haliema Ibrahim, Mohamed Ahmed Hamdan Al Dhanhani. (29/3/2022). AC/DC technology is revolutionizing controlled environment agriculture in desert ecosystems. United Arab Emirates: Ajman University.

Abstract

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is a cornerstone in the soil-water-food nexus of the desert ecosystem-dominated Arabian Peninsula (AP) region. Through protected cultivation, the harsh abiotic constraints for desert farming are managed. ICARDA and national implementing partners in AP tested and optimized a combination of solar energy powered-AC/D.C. water cooling and irrigation, closed hydroponics, net-house, root zone area cooling, and ultra-low-pressure drippers. The combination reduced energy consumption by up to 95% and water by up to 80%, mainly by eliminating the pad and fan cooling system. No quantitative or qualitative yield penalties were observed. The system operates with sensors attached to the automatic controller for cooling, irrigation, and fertigation management, which is the first step towards CEA's precision climate-smart agriculture technology. This paper aims to share the additive impacts demonstrated by incorporating five greenhouse technologies on the water- and energy-use efficiency, cost-effectiveness, environmental health, and the approach's potential on CEA in desert ecosystems. Keywords: AD/DC hybrid solar system, soilless production system, net-house, Ultra low pressure dripper, Root zone area cooling Ajman 6th International Environment Conference

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/67920

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Agricultural Research Knowledge

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AGROVOC Keyword(s)

environment ; renewable energy ; solar energy ; protected agriculture ; goal 2 zero hunger ; goal 13 climate action ; goal 12 responsible production and consumption ; goal 8 decent work and economic growth ; goal 11 sustainable cities and communities ; cucumber

Subject(s)

climate adaptation and mitigation; environmental health and biodiversity; towards 2071 shaping the future for environmental sustainability; nutrition, health and food security; poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs; gender equality, youth and social inclusion

Author(s) ORCID(s)

Nejatian, Arash  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6602-1408
 Niane, Abdoul Aziz  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0873-4394
 Nangia, Vinay  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5148-8614