Compact urban farms that tackle food insecurity

The system provides the structure for raising poultry, fish, and vegetables on a very small footprint

Spotted: The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommends daily consumption of at least 53.8 grammes of protein for the minimum level of good health. In Nigeria, however, the Nigerian Protein Deficiency Report 2020 found that more than 92 million citizens often go without eating any protein in a day. Such a lack of protein has long-term health consequences. 

To tackle this issue, agri-tech company Agrisiti has built modular, small-footprinted urban agriculture systems that bring freshly grown, protein-rich foods directly to the communities most in need. The company sees urban agriculture as a long-term, sustainable solution to food deserts and malnutrition.  

Agrisiti’s Smart Agri-pyramid System (SAP-Sys) provides growers with the space and infrastructure to raise chickens and fish and grow vegetables. The system uses both aquaculture and hydroponics for production, thereby greatly reducing the amount of soil and space needed, and the system is available in four sizes, with customised options available.  

Along with the structure itself, Agrisiti provides seeds, eggs, and animals to get growers started. The smart unit runs on solar power, with pumps oxygenating and circulating the water and watering the plants. A monitoring device provides the farmer with updates and alerts, and Agrisiti runs a consultancy service and an education campaign designed explicitly to introduce farming to urban primary schools.  

The micro-unit has space to raise 12 to 15 chickens and 85 to 100 table fish, and the maxi version can raise 58 to 72 chickens and 400 to 500 fish. Only five square metres is needed to set up the micro Smart Agri-Pyramid System, a size that makes it relatively accessible to many urban schools, as well as other organisations. And if a grower produces more than they can eat or personally sell, Agrisiti can help sell the remainder. 

Other ways in which Springwise has spotted farming becoming more accessible and sustainable include hydroponic systems designed to grow animal feed as well as veggies for humans, and a partnership between an urban farm and a zero-emission delivery service.

Written By: Keely Khoury