Mini-plant factories are controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems for small-scale indoor crop production. This chapter will critically review the existing literature on mini-plant factories for homegrown vegetables, herbs, and spices, covering the challenges of design, implementation, and technology integration, as well as the benefits. This chapter will also focus on developing a conceptual model to improve the boundary conditions and achieve more benefits with suitable crops well suited to mini-plant factory cultivation. Future trends in mini-plant factory design, as well as the application of modern technologies, including AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and automatic control, are reviewed in this chapter. These systems typically utilize hydroponics or aeroponics to cultivate plants without soil, often incorporating artificial lighting, microclimate controllers, and nutrient management systems. Mini-plant factories can offer several benefits to the home consumer, including the ability to produce consistent and high-quality vegetables within a small space, reduced dependency on external suppliers, and the potential for generating supplemental income. Fogponics is a new method of soilless plant production, in which plant roots are suspended in a chamber, and nutrient-mixed fog is used. This method has shown promising results in increasing crop yields and reducing water usage, making it a sustainable solution for agriculture. Fogponics represents a significant leap in the evolution of hydroponic growing systems. These advantages make fogponics a compelling option for sustainable agriculture, aligning with the global push for more efficient and environmentally friendly farming practices. The potential of fogponics extends beyond traditional agriculture, as it can be implemented in urban farming and indoor gardening, offering a viable solution for maximizing plant growth in limited spaces. Urban agriculture in densely populated areas can greatly benefit from integrating modern technologies into mini-plant factories. The automation of tasks through the utilization of agricultural robots and IoT facilitates a reduction in the necessity for manual labor and enables the continuous monitoring and adjustment of growing conditions. Several factors, including financial considerations, maintenance requirements, and the necessary technical expertise, impede the acceptance of miniature plant factories in households. This chapter will critically review these factors to provide a macro view of the technology to be adopted by any interested party.

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Challenge and Opportunities for Developing a Mini-Plant Factory for Vegetable Cultivation in Household Urban Farming

  • Parwit Chutichaimaytar,
  • Nelundeniyage Sumuduni L. Senevirathne,
  • Tofael Ahamed

摘要

Mini-plant factories are controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems for small-scale indoor crop production. This chapter will critically review the existing literature on mini-plant factories for homegrown vegetables, herbs, and spices, covering the challenges of design, implementation, and technology integration, as well as the benefits. This chapter will also focus on developing a conceptual model to improve the boundary conditions and achieve more benefits with suitable crops well suited to mini-plant factory cultivation. Future trends in mini-plant factory design, as well as the application of modern technologies, including AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and automatic control, are reviewed in this chapter. These systems typically utilize hydroponics or aeroponics to cultivate plants without soil, often incorporating artificial lighting, microclimate controllers, and nutrient management systems. Mini-plant factories can offer several benefits to the home consumer, including the ability to produce consistent and high-quality vegetables within a small space, reduced dependency on external suppliers, and the potential for generating supplemental income. Fogponics is a new method of soilless plant production, in which plant roots are suspended in a chamber, and nutrient-mixed fog is used. This method has shown promising results in increasing crop yields and reducing water usage, making it a sustainable solution for agriculture. Fogponics represents a significant leap in the evolution of hydroponic growing systems. These advantages make fogponics a compelling option for sustainable agriculture, aligning with the global push for more efficient and environmentally friendly farming practices. The potential of fogponics extends beyond traditional agriculture, as it can be implemented in urban farming and indoor gardening, offering a viable solution for maximizing plant growth in limited spaces. Urban agriculture in densely populated areas can greatly benefit from integrating modern technologies into mini-plant factories. The automation of tasks through the utilization of agricultural robots and IoT facilitates a reduction in the necessity for manual labor and enables the continuous monitoring and adjustment of growing conditions. Several factors, including financial considerations, maintenance requirements, and the necessary technical expertise, impede the acceptance of miniature plant factories in households. This chapter will critically review these factors to provide a macro view of the technology to be adopted by any interested party.