A new masters degree program at Nottingham Trent University is attracting international applications as it prepares to tackle the growing challenges of food security.
The “Smart Agriculture” program equips students with the knowledge and skills to utilize cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), vertical farming, and automation to improve food production efficiency. This approach aims to address the strain on global food supplies caused by population growth and climate change.
Students will collaborate with researchers at the university’s Brackenhurst campus, working in high-tech vertical farms housed in glasshouses and solar-powered shipping containers. Here, they’ll develop methods to grow crops significantly faster than traditional outdoor farming.
“Our computer system takes data readings twice daily to optimize the nutrient and lighting mix for the vegetables,” explains Dr. Gadelhag Mohmad, a senior researcher. This data is then used to train an AI system that recommends the most efficient combinations to maximize crop yields while minimizing energy and fertilizer waste.
“We provide plants with only the exact amount of resources they need,” says Dr. Mohmad. “This allows us to grow three times the amount of crops using the same resources previously needed for just one tray.”
The program extends beyond salad greens. In China, growers are already experiencing success with these techniques to increase rice production. Closer to home, the university’s research is garnering interest from the UK’s commercial food sector, with potential applications for installing similar shipping container farms within distribution centers.
Professor Chungui Lu, who leads the research, highlights the appeal of these methods for supermarkets. “Supermarkets prefer crops grown without soil because they are pest-free, clean, and fresh,” he explains. Additionally, controlled environments safeguard crops from unpredictable weather events, ensuring timely deliveries.
Nottingham Trent University anticipates a surge in demand for graduates with expertise in these smart agriculture methods, particularly as climate change disrupts traditional farming and threatens vulnerable crops.
“The course equips students with the skills needed to manage a vertical farm,” says Julia Davies, acting deputy dean. “We aim to empower them to recognize the value of short supply chains for sustainability and producing more nutritious food.”
Professor Lu concludes, “The advancements we’ve made signify the perfect time to launch this Smart Agriculture program. This is the future of agriculture.”
