Why do indoor agri in the Philippines? An essay.

Given our geographical features, transporting agricultural crops has always been burdensome in this country.

Separated by waters and bordered by mountains, it has been a logistical challenge to transport fresh produce in our country since time immemorial. With the advent of studies in nutrition and how it affects overall health, being able to provide high-quality produce for a growing customer segment is imperative; as I am also a firm believer that proper nutrition can solve a lot of problems that a country has. With proper nutrition coming from high-quality produce, we can expect a healthier citizenry and an increased aptitude in learning due to availability of the nutrients needed for mental and physical development of the youth.

With the migration of Filipinos towards city centres and the conversion of idle agricultural lands to residential areas, information on Indoor/Urban agriculture has been scarce here in this country; but I see it as an essential branch of knowledge that we must learn about soon. This is to enable us to properly adopt it and provide for a growing number of citizens that need to be fed, using the available spaces near the cities.

The Philippines has always been hit with the best storms that the Pacific Ocean can conjure. Indoor agriculture will also help address the availability (seasonality) of high-quality produce, which will in turn lead to stable prices. Indoor Agriculture Facilities can also provide a source of food in times of calamities, being that these facilities are powered by renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.). These facilities will allow areas, in and near the countryside, which are traditionally unable to produce certain crops (due to topography, climate, and other biotic and abiotic factors). Less time in transit for the crops will ensure quality, while also keeping the price point down, making nutritious food available for more Filipinos.

Adopting this technology will also lower the carbon footprint of Agricultural production and will be more sustainable in the long run as it will require less energy (in the form of man-hours and gasoline, petroleum, electricity, etc.) to produce and transport. This will also address the environmental and health concerns that plague Agriculture. By consuming less energy, indoor farming is more sustainable and will enable future generations to enjoy this technology. Farmers will also enjoy a higher quality of life, with their exposure to harmful agro-chemicals being significantly reduced.

Photo from: https://weburbanist.com/2015/01/11/worlds-largest-indoor-farm-is-100-times-more-productive/