Number of Pages : 62 leaves
Adviser : Prof. Glen A. Imbang
Abstract
According to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the global population would require 60% more food than we produce currently by 2050 (FAO, 2018). Also, the land used for agriculture is limited and finite. According to the study done by Mr. Arniel Gabriel of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, there will only a 2 percent increase in agricultural land by the year 2040 (Gabriel, 2011). Water is also a scarce resource. A number of watersheds in the Philippines is in critical condition and thus, affecting the quality of water used in agriculture. All of these conditions affect our capability to supply food for all the people.
One answer to this issue is farming through plant factory with artificial lighting (PFAL). According to Mr. Toyoki Kozai, who is also considered as the father of PFAL technology, PFAL refers to a plant production facility with a thermally insulated and a nearly airtight warehouse structure (Kozai, 2016). Multiple cultures shelves with electric lamps on each shelf are vertically stacked itself. Other necessary types of equipment and devices for a PFAL are air conditioners, air circulation fans, carbon dioxide, and nutrient solution supply units, and an environmental control unit. PFALs are now used in a lot of countries.
There have been several publications on farming in indoor facilities. However, there are only one plant factory in existence yet in the Philippines and nothing has been published on the future of this technology locally. This research aims to review the current trends that may affect the future of the adoption of the said technology, produce scenarios that will reflect its future and give recommendations for faster and successful technology adoption.
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