Agtech solutions with The Agrarian Group in Alaska

GREENandSAVE Staff

Posted on Thursday 9th June 2022
Agtech Solutions

An increasingly viable solution for climate change is Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), implemented across the U.S., in states likes Alaska.

The water, energy, and food security nexus is a real and present problem. 

Here are some highlights from the website of The Agrarian Group:

As a species, we face the most complex and deadly problems we have ever encountered. Erratic weather events caused by climate change destroy crop yields each year. Pesticides have ruined our soil and water scarcity has become a national security issue. 70% of food cost is linked to fossil fuels, and prices are only expected to rise. The average food item travels 1500 miles to reach it's destination. However, despite everything we do, 40% of all food in the United States is thrown away post-harvest. 

Why

The Agrarian Group was started as an answer to a question - How will we feed the projected 9.1 Billion people that will reside on earth in 2050? To achieve this, we need to increase our already stressed agricultural production by 70%. How do we grow better?

To learn more about Vertical Farming for states like Alaska, visit The Agrarian Group

Agtech solutions can help solve the challenges we face. 

Here is an example of Agtech Solutions in Alaska:

Alaska Greenhouse and Controlled Environment Production using LEDs and other Emerging Technologies

The interest in producing food as a community or as individuals can be expected to increase as environmental and social awareness is growing. Many communities are striving for cost-effective local sustainability in respect to food, energy and water resources, health, education and employment opportunities. Controlled environment vertical farms, hydroponics and indoor growing facilities offer opportunities to locally produce food in areas with limited climate or land suited for agriculture. The intention for greenhouses and enclosed vertical indoor farming systems is to grow crops for local marketing and consumption during part or throughout the year. Strategies for production, marketing and the development of business plans in support of these local developments require sound well established research knowledge and realistic projections of crop cycles, anticipated yields, labor commitments and production costs.In greenhouse and vertical indoor cropping systems, light and lighting systems are a significant investment and ongoing expense. LEDs efficiently convert electric energy to light and LEDs are expected to entirely replace current technology for supplemental greenhouse lighting. Slim LED designs permit innovative and non-conventional configurations for the most effective use of space in horizontal or vertical production systems. LEDs also offer extended life expectancy of continuously high output and opportunities to customize the spectral quality. Studies determining the most effective LED wavelength compositions, configurations, durations and intensities are still needed in order to reach the production potential for various crops.Nutrient density along with yields and crop market value need to be considered when evaluating the efficiency of various growing systems. Only approximately five percent of the food purchased in Alaska is produced in the state. To encourage consumers to preferentially seek out Alaska grown over brought in produce, data documenting quality advantages would justify maintaining and increasing local production of produce and marketing of higher priced Alaska grown produce.

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