Basics of controlled environment agriculture

Course Description

This LU aims to provide the student with an overview about the controlled environment agriculture. It covers the techniques that are commonly used for controlled environment agriculture, and the current market.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

After the completion of this LU, the learner will be able to:

• name the environmental factors which affect the growth and yield of plants
• identify the basic elements for a controlled environment farm,
• recognise the differences between greenhouses and plant factories
• name the available technologies used for controlled environment agriculture,
• record the advantages and disadvantages of controlled environment agriculture

Skills

After the completion of this LU, the learner will be able to:

• identify the technologies needed by controlling the environment,
• use suitable equipment to control greenhouse environment
• manipulate the environmental factors of a greenhouse
• calculate the energy need of a greenhouse

Competences

After the completion of this LU, the learner will be competent to:

• design and operate a controlled environment farm
• evaluate the cost of the environmental control in a greenhouse or in a plant factory