How the Agrotunnel Could Solve Canada’s Berry-Growing Problem
May 22, 2024 
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
According to Western News, a group of researchers plans to solve Canada’s berry-growing problem with a net-zero vertical farm. Dubbed the “Agrotunnel,” the farm will provide ideal growing conditions for strawberries, honeyberries, blueberries, boysenberries and gooseberries.
This project is led by Western University professor Dr. Joshua Pearce and the Free Appropriate Sustainable Technology (FAST) research group. When developing the Agrotunnel, the group had Canada’s climate change issues and severe weather in mind, which make for difficult growing conditions.
While the farm incorporates both aeroponic and hydroponic systems, it also relies on the sun for electricity. However, CEA technology will support this need, as the Agrotunnel has a polymer shell that is covered with proprietary semi-transparent photovoltaic panels developed by Dr. Pearce’s Western Innovation for Renewable Energy Deployment (WIRED) initiative. It will also use efficient, spectrally optimized LED grow lights.
With its current setup, the Agrotunnel could provide fresh produce to remote parts of Canada throughout the year. This is mainly because it eliminates the need to transport produce over long distances on the road. On top of that, the farm can be attached to grocery stores and other retail locations to provide zero-mile food supply.
The Agrotunnel was developed during the Homegrown Innovation Challenge, where 11 teams were given $1 million to test different methods for extending berry-growing season in Canada. The first round of the challenge lasts for 18 months, and only four teams will advance to the second round.
Want to keep up with the Homegrown Innovation Challenge this year? Check out their website for updates.