Optimisation of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for Enhanced WEFE Nexus Performance

Research project

 
There is a growing need to enhance food security at the national level while optimising resource use and adapting to climate change impacts. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), supported by photovoltaics (PV) and hydroponic systems, presents promising opportunities to improve irrigation water efficiency and maximise crop yields, facilitating the transition to climate-resilient agriculture, while promoting continued growth and creating green jobs. This proposed project matches the WEFE Nexus approach by minimising irrigation water and utilising a sustainable energy source for producing agricultural crops through a climate-resilient agriculture technique. 
The proposed project aims to further advance CEA and hydroponics in Jordan by:
  1. Providing interactive and accessible cultivation information to consultancy providers and stakeholders through the development of a mobile application.
  2. Developing an autonomous agricultural unit controlled by IoT technology to optimise resource use and crop production.
  3. Conducting awareness sessions and training seminars on climate-resilient agriculture.
  4. Strengthening collaboration between the RSS and UK universities to promote knowledge exchange.
  5. Disseminating project findings through scientific publications. 
Through these efforts, the project seeks to design a modern, marketable agricultural unit capable of producing high-quality crops, particularly in urban areas, thereby contributing to enhanced food security and climate resilience in Jordan.
This project aims at addressing three important UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
  •  Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
  • Gender Equality (SDG 5)
  •  Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11)

Project collaborators

Mr Mohammad Mashatleh
  • Senior Specialist / Hydroponic Expert
  • Royal Scientific Society Jordan
  • Email: mohammad.mashatleh@rss.jo
  • LinkedIn: please add link if you want it on the webpage
Dr Asiya Khan
  • Associate professor of Multimedia Communication and Intelligent Control
  • University of Plymouth
  • Email: asiya.khan@plymouth.ac.uk
  • LinkedIn: please add link if you want it on the webpage
Mr Husam HajAli
  • Manager of Food Security & Biodiversity Studies Division
  • Royal Scientific Society Jordan
  • Email: husameddin.hajali@rss.jo
  • LinkedIn: please add link if you want it on the webpage
Dr Nagham Saeed
Miss Laurence Peinturier
 

Project timeline

Project timeline
 

Project updates

CEA set up for growing lettuce, kale and basil. The following sensors have been installed - pH, EC, Temp., Humidity, LED radiation. Part of the unit is connected to PV cells and the part to the national grid.
 

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