Smart Vertical Farming vs Global Warming
The Project
Freshwater shortages and climate change are drastically affecting global food production. As fertile land becomes scarce, finding suitable areas for crop cultivation is becoming increasingly difficult. This crisis contributes to excessive land erosion, depletion of natural resources, and unsustainable water usage. Meanwhile, rising global food demand puts further pressure on agricultural systems that are already struggling to meet needs. A new approach is required to ensure food security while protecting the environment. Vertical farming, combined with AI-driven optimization, offers a sustainable solution. By growing crops in vertically stacked layers, it maximizes limited urban space. AI technology ensures optimal use of essential resources like water, nutrients, and energy. Automated monitoring and control systems enable precise adjustments, reducing waste and improving efficiency. AI-powered greenhouses can also adapt to environmental conditions, enhancing productivity and resilience in urban agriculture. I structured the project into different phases to ensure smooth execution. The first phase, lasted two-three days, involved studying the function of each sensor and understanding their interaction with plant health. The next step, which took about three-four days, involved connecting all sensors to the ESP32 microcontroller and setting up the hardware. Once assembled, I wrote simple code to independently verify each sensor’s operation, ensuring they provided accurate readings. After confirming that all components functioned correctly, I integrated them into a single automated system. This process involved programming logic that adjusted environmental conditions dynamically. Over the course of one to two weeks, I fine-tuned the system by testing and refining its response to real-time environmental changes. Although, this may seem simple I faced a lot of challenges such as adjusting to the new version 4 of the IR module library or figuring out if any sensor was working or not!
