Indoor agriculture to support regional transition
As the world's population grows, demand for food increases, natural resources are depleted, soil surface areas are reduced and their fertility degraded, and water supply becomes critical... The preservation of environments and resources is therefore a priority among the UN's sustainable development objectives. This situation is compounded by climate change, which requires agriculture to meet the challenges of agro-ecological, food and energy transitions facing our societies.
Against this backdrop, the "Indoor Culture & Resiliences" Research and Innovation Chair marks the coming together of two entities: Jungle, a specialist in vertical farms, and the Institut Polytechnique UniLaSalle, a higher education and research institute. Their common goal is to consolidate the scientific references needed to optimize production under controlled conditions.
This involves :
- study the effect of environmental factors determining plant growth (nutrient environments and climates) ;
- select and analyze the relative performance of different varieties according to their purpose (food and non-food);
- consolidate the technical and economic data on these alternative crops, particularly in terms of potential energy costs.
A DIVERSITY OF PRODUCTIONS TO BE INVESTIGATED ACCORDING TO THE ISSUES AT STAKE
While the environmental benefits of indoor agriculture in terms of water consumption (70% to 90% reduction), the absence of phytosanitary products and product quality are undeniable, it also offers excellent socio-economic prospects for the industry (secure supplies), for farmers (secure income), and for citizens and local communities (proximity and autonomy).
THE CHALLENGES OF INDOOR CULTIVATION
Securing farmers' income by producing plants with high economic added value
Feeding populations and combating global warming
Securing raw materials supplies
Innovate and develop plant production for nutritional, gastronomic and cosmetic purposes
THREE COMPLEMENTARY THEMATIC PILLARS
- Propose innovative productions and associated technical itineraries. Define favorable growing conditions, optimum yields and productivity of the cropping system.
- Analyze the influence of technological factors (nutrient environments, temperatures, lighting, etc.) on the condition of crops according to expectations (product taste and/or olfactory quality, activation of a metabolic voice, etc.).
- Identify, understand and demonstrate the value of new sensors and develop imaging references for growth monitoring and production traceability with a view to automation.
ABOUT JUNGLE
Making the abundant benefits of plants accessible to as many people as possible.
Founded in 2016 by Gilles Dreyfus and Nicolas Seguy, Jungle is France's largest vertical farm. Its unique system of cultivation in a controlled environment enables it to produce over 100 tonnes of plants, flowers and aromatic herbs every year for consumers, distributors, agricultural and cosmetics players.