The term “controlled environment agriculture” (CEA) is used to describe a wide range of agricultural practices that rely heavily on technological advancements. Shade structures, hoop houses, greenhouses, and even full-scale indoor or vertical farms are all examples of CEA. Lighting, water, and ventilation in the most sophisticated systems are all managed automatically in a closed loop. Common agricultural practices (CEA) also include using plastic film, nets, or shade structures over crops grown in the field and aquaponics systems, which combine fish and plant production.
CEA systems aim to protect crops from disease and pests while also facilitating optimal growth. Hydroponic systems, in which the plant’s roots are submerged in a nutrient-rich solution, and aeroponic systems, in which the plant’s roots are constantly misted with water and nutrients, are both viable options for cultivating plants indoors under artificial lighting.
To what end is CEA useful?
All sizes and types of farming are necessary for a robust food supply. Controlled Environment Agriculture can contribute to a secure and nutritious food supply around the world at a time when climate change threatens to disrupt traditional agricultural production and when consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing products with a higher degree of novelty.
Producing high-quality food close to consumers with minimal water and other inputs is a potential benefit of CEA. Many of the delicious tomatoes, herbs, and greens we eat today originate from regulated environments like greenhouses and shade structures. Also, the number of greens available for sale that have been grown entirely in closed indoor systems with artificial lighting is on the rise.
In the future, CEA will most likely play a significant role in conjunction with conventional outdoor growing methods. CEA can save money by minimizing the use of resources like water, nutrients, and chemicals while also decreasing the likelihood of food-borne pathogens. Using existing space, CEA systems can be installed in urban areas that aren’t conducive to conventional farming, bringing food production closer to consumers.