In this study, researchers Ivan Paucek, Emanuele Durante, Giuseppina Pennisi, Stefania Quaini, Giorgio Gianquinto and
Francesco Orsini investigates a methodological tool for sustainability and feasibility assessment of vertical farming with artificial lighting in Africa.
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African agriculture is bound to face challenges for its future food systems development and economic transformation. Vertical farms with artificial lighting represent an opportunity that has been gaining relevance worldwide, thanks to their potential to enable high productivity rates, food quality and safety, year-round production, and more sustainable use of water and mineral nutrients.
The present study assesses the potential for vertical farming technology integration within the African continent, targeting the countries where a more sustainable approach could be achieved.
A deep analysis of each territory’s major opportunities and challenges was built through an updated database of 147 development indicators from 54 African states. Countries such as South Africa, Seychelles, Egypt, Mauritius, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Cape Verde, and Nigeria showed the best prospects for vertical farming implementation. Moreover, Seychelles, South Africa, and Egypt resulted in being the countries where vertical indoor farming could be more sustainable.
Paucek, I., Durante, E., Pennisi, G., et al. A methodological tool for sustainability and feasibility assessment of indoor vertical farming with artificial lighting in Africa. Sci Rep 13, 2109 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29027-8