Course Overview
This 5-module course is designed to explore the key challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technologies. As demand for sustainable, high-yield farming grows, CEA systems such as vertical farming, hydroponics, and aeroponics have emerged as critical solutions. However, widespread adoption faces technical, economic, regulatory, and social hurdles. This training equips professionals with the insights needed to navigate and overcome these barriers for successful implementation and scale-up.
DURATION
5 Days
Target Audience
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Agri-tech Entrepreneurs and Startups
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Policy Makers and Urban Planners
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Extension Officers and Agricultural Engineers
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Researchers and Academics
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Donor and NGO Program Managers in Agriculture
Course Level: Intermediate
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will:
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Understand the core principles and benefits of CEA technologies
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Identify and analyze barriers to adoption across different regions
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Evaluate economic, environmental, and social viability challenges
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Develop strategies to address technical, financial, and policy gaps
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Promote sustainable scale-up of CEA through collaboration and innovation
COURSE OUTLINE
Module 1: Introduction to CEA Technologies
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Fundamentals of hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, and vertical farming
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Benefits and applications in different contexts
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Global and regional CEA trends
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Case Study: Successful CEA operations in urban Africa
Module 2: Technical and Infrastructure Barriers
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Energy and water system requirements
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Equipment cost and availability
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Climate control and automation limitations
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Practical Activity: Mapping infrastructure gaps in CEA deployment
Module 3: Economic and Financial Constraints
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High capital investment and financing challenges
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Operational costs and ROI variability
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Market access and pricing strategies
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Exercise: Conducting a CEA business model assessment
Module 4: Regulatory, Policy, and Skills Gaps
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Licensing, zoning, and food safety regulations
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Lack of standards and quality assurance mechanisms
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Workforce development and capacity-building needs
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Discussion: Designing a policy roadmap for CEA adoption
Module 5: Adoption Strategy and Stakeholder Collaboration
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Building multi-stakeholder platforms for CEA advancement
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Role of innovation hubs and public-private partnerships
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Scaling CEA through inclusive models
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Final Project: Crafting an action plan to promote CEA technology adoption in a local context
Customized Training
This training can be tailored to your institution needs and delivered at a location of your choice upon request.
Requirements
Participants need to be proficient in English.
Training Fee
The fee covers tuition, training materials, refreshments, lunch, and study visits. Participants are responsible for their own travel, visa, insurance, and personal expenses.
Certification
A certificate from Ideal Workplace Solutions is awarded upon successful completion.
Accommodation
Accommodation can be arranged upon request. Contact via email for reservations.
Payment
Payment should be made before the training starts, with proof of payment sent to outreach@idealworkplacesolutions.org.
For further inquiries, please contact us on details below:
