Vertical Farming for Urban Ghana - Research

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in Ghana is straining food supply chains, increasing food miles, and limiting access to fresh produce for city dwellers. Vertical farming offers a solution by enabling food production within urban centers, but conventional high-tech models are often too expensive and energy-intensive for the Ghanaian context. This Masters in Computer Science proposal focuses on designing and testing a hybrid, low-energy vertical farming system that is optimized for the climate and resources of a city like Accra. The research will focus on minimizing electricity consumption by maximizing natural sunlight and developing a closed-loop aquaponics system that uses locally sourced fish and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

Key Research Questions for Vertical Farming in Ghana

Energy Efficiency and Light Management: What is the optimal balance between using natural sunlight (via a greenhouse-style structure) and low-power supplemental LED lighting to minimize energy costs while maximizing yield for popular Ghanaian vegetables like leafy greens ('kontomire') and tomatoes?
Aquaponics System Optimization: Can a stable, closed-loop aquaponics system be created using a native Ghanaian fish species like tilapia? The research will determine the ideal fish-to-plant ratio and a method for processing fish waste into a complete nutrient solution for the plants.
Water and Nutrient Cycling: How can water usage be minimized through efficient irrigation (e.g., nutrient film technique vs. drip irrigation) and the capture and recycling of evaporated water within a semi-enclosed system?
Techno-Economic Feasibility: What is the economic viability of this hybrid vertical farming model for a small-scale urban entrepreneur in Accra? This involves a detailed analysis of setup costs, operational expenses (energy, water, fish feed), and potential revenue from crop sales.

Proposed Masters in Computer Science Research: A Hybrid Sunlight-Aquaponics Vertical Farm

The core of this research is to build and operate a prototype vertical farm in Accra to gather real-world performance data.

Prototype Construction: Construct a small-scale vertical farm prototype. The structure will be designed to maximize natural light exposure while protecting crops from excessive heat and rain. It will integrate a multi-level hydroponic system with a tilapia-based aquaponics tank.
System Monitoring: The prototype will be instrumented with sensors to continuously monitor key parameters: light intensity (natural and LED), temperature, humidity, water pH, nutrient concentration, and energy consumption.
Crop Trials: Conduct several growing cycles of local leafy greens and tomatoes. The yield, growth rate, and nutritional content of crops grown in this system will be compared to those grown in a conventional soil-based farm.
Economic Modeling: Based on the data collected from the prototype, a detailed financial model will be built to assess the profitability and return on investment for a commercial-scale version of this system in the Ghanaian market.

Impact for Ghana and Africa

This research aims to develop a practical, sustainable, and economically viable blueprint for urban agriculture in West Africa. A successful project would demonstrate a model of vertical farming that is not dependent on high-tech imports or massive energy inputs. It would empower urban communities in Ghana to produce their own fresh, nutritious food, creating jobs, reducing food miles, and building a more resilient urban food system. By open-sourcing the designs and operational data, this work can catalyze the adoption of climate-smart urban agriculture across rapidly growing cities on the African continent.