Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Akbari, Zahra
• Yari Hesar, Arasto
• Siamian, Narges
• Fürst, Christine
• Värnik, Rando
• Azadi, Hossein

Titel

Feasibility of using vertical farming in northern Iran: A multiple necessity

Ist Teil von

• Journal of environmental management, 2024-03, Vol.354, p.120232-120232, Article 120232

Ort / Verlag

England: Elsevier Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2024

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Agricultural production in vertical farms (VF) will play a prominent role in preventing environmental crises, its good governance and maintaining food security for everyone in the world. The ecological footprint in Guilan province significantly exceeds its biological capacity, indicating considerable pressure on its natural resources and ecosystems. This problem, which is mostly due to the use of traditional production methods in the agricultural sector, requires a change in lifestyle and production methods. The purpose of the current research is the feasibility of VF in Guilan province with the help of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) model and Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM). After identifying internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) affecting production in VF, the necessary strategies were determined and then prioritized using the QSPM matrix. Necessary information through written scientific sources and survey studies based on key questions between two groups of professors of geography and rural planning, water resources engineering, soil, architecture and experts from the plant production department and the head of the environment department, Jihad Agricultural Organization of Guilan province and the organization Food hygiene was achieved. The statistical population participating in the survey was 30 people. The results of the research showed that 7 strategies were formulated based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and were prioritized based on the importance of four strategies in the QSPM table. The first priority for ensuring food security in Guilan province is to focus on increasing agricultural productivity per unit area. This strategy is crucial considering the challenges of low ownership and limited land availability in the region. Thus, enhancing productivity per unit area should be given utmost priority to meet the food demands of the population. The appropriate strategy for VF production in Guilan province is a competitive-aggressive strategy and being in this position requires attracting the necessary funds. This study fills research gaps by providing a comprehensive assessment of the feasibility of vertical farming in Guilan province. The emphasis on methodology, strategic planning, and addressing food security and environmental challenges contributes to the existing body of knowledge. By highlighting the transferability and adaptability of the research findings, other researchers can utilize the methods and adapt the strategies to their own regions, promoting further research and advancement in the field of sustainable agriculture. •This study examined the method of Vertical Farms (VF) production.•The strategy of producing agricultural products per unit area is due to lack of land.•The pressure on the natural resources is twice its biological capacity.•The use of advanced technology in VF to maintain product quality and prevent waste production is important.•Support for new technology and methods is needed along with providing low-interest banking facilities.