Table of ContentsWhat you need to know about aeroponics, aquaponics and hydroponicsTraditional horizontal farmsWhat is vertical farming?The third agricultural revolutionVertical farming; The two-pronged solution to South Africa's food crisisPrompted by the sporadic representation of innovative farming methods in South Africa, this article explores the massive contribution of emerging smart agriculture, particularly symbiotic-leaning technologies and innovations that could lead to an ultimate overhaul of agriculture. Focusing primarily on the less important but crucial aspects of the agricultural component of South Africa. As an emerging company in the industry, innovations such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics seem to be the much-needed innovation to support a growing population. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Tailored Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an Original EssayWhat You Need to Know About Aeroponics, Aquaponics, and HydroponicsAeroponics, Aquaponics, and Hydroponics are variations of revolutionary indoor vertical farming systems that innovatively complement traditional outdoor systems. large-scale horizontal agriculture. These three systems are largely water-based indoor farming approaches that leverage ICT tools, foreshadowing a futuristic path to agriculture that could help dispel hunger and poverty in South Africa. Although these tools are still experimental here in South Africa, global economic giants like the United States, Singapore and the United Kingdom have championed them for many decades, using them for large-scale farming in small spaces such as roofs, inside unused buildings and alleys. Aeroponics is, according to some sources, a method in which plants are suspended in the air with water solutions sprayed directly onto them. The process is an indoor method with closely monitored conditions to optimize crop production. Aquaponics is a fusion of aquaculture and hydroponics in a system that cyclically raises fish and grows plants simultaneously. Plants suspended in the air vertically or horizontally in pipes obtain their nutrients from fish wastewater passing through the pipes. Plants, in turn, use the nutrients in the water, cleaning the water in the process. The water passes through the pipes along the roots of the plants and then back into the aquariums. Temperatures and conditions in aquariums should be monitored at all times. It's a necessary exercise to perhaps explain aquaculture, in passing, given that it plays a big role in aquaponic farming. Aquaculture has been defined as a controlled system of “raising aquatic fish or aquatic plants for food”. In South Africa there are a number of notable aquaculture farms, including Alan Flaming's Philippi Village in Cape Town and Rikalize Reinecke in Pretoria. These two entrepreneurs are championing new methods of farming in urban South Africa. While Flemming Village is primarily focused on fish farming in shipping containers, Reinecke's business acumen crosses two divisions: aquaculture and aquaponics, giving him maximum benefits for fish and plant production . Hydroponics is a complex but balanced method of growing plants without using soil. Process monitoringThis method is essential because the balance of nutrient solutions and oxygen is essential for plant growth. High-precision technology is essential in this method because plant growth depends on the proper balance of water and nutrient-infused temperatures. Although there are many forms of hydroponic farming, an important aspect of this type of farming is the technology behind it. In South Africa, hydroponics is perhaps the most widely adopted modern technology-based agriculture, particularly on the rooftops and skyscrapers of Johannesburg. Traditional Horizontal Farms Horizontal farming is agriculture as we know it today. Using large areas of land to grow crops, livestock, and many other forms of soil-based plant cultivation form the basis of what forms traditional agriculture. This type of agriculture relies heavily on using soil as the primary ingredient for growing plants and/or growing grass to feed livestock or for raising farm animals. This form of agriculture uses large areas and is exposed to bad weather. Drought, lack of rainwater, exceptionally high or extremely cold temperatures leave plants at the mercy of unpredictable conditions. With this in mind, traditional agriculture requires extremely rigorous management to avoid crop losses. This can be costly for farmers. Although efforts have been made to limit crop damage from unpredictable natural weather conditions through the use of fertilizers, weather monitoring technologies, and soil improvement tools, challenges remain significant in this form of agriculture. there has therefore been a general interest in new forms of agriculture such as vertical farming. “The Belgian Campus hosted an International Smart Agriculture Week where students collaborated with international students from Penn State University to find innovative solutions to the challenges farmers face in agriculture. Students focused on both traditional methods of agriculture and new forms of agriculture, particularly aquaponics and hydroponics. » In a general commentary on human population growth, Professor Emeritus Despommier of public health at Columbia University, notes that there is stunted growth in the traditional "horizontal" agrarian mode of agriculture and shortcomings in knowledge about the sustainability of a growing population. The “godfather of vertical farming” offers vertical farming systems as a solution to the challenges of land-based agriculture. Professor Despommier affirms that “we have failed in terms of biomimicry at the agricultural level”. This reality paints a picture that suggests that, if nothing is done, efforts to address the current high levels of global food security for a growing population will be thwarted. He believes this should trigger a much-needed “third agricultural revolution”. Professor Emeritus Despommier is internationally recognized for his concept of “vertical agriculture”, an innovation that disrupts old methods of agriculture. What is vertical farming? Dozens of sources attribute vertical farming to Professor Emeritus Dickson Despommier of Columbia University. Reportedly, as early as 1997, Despommier and a group of students experimented with vertical farming after realizing that the population of New Yorkwas increasing rapidly. Their experiment in finding ways to produce food for large populations gave rise to vertical farming inside buildings. Despommier developed methods of farming indoors and in controlled environments at a much faster pace than traditional farming. This growing method has proven to be quick and efficient, reducing production costs while increasing yield and profits. Unlike traditional farming where unpredictable external conditions can affect crop growth, vertical farming relies solely on ICT-based control systems used to create conditions conducive to rapid and efficient crop production. Vertical farming eliminates land use. Plants obtain nutrients directly from produced controlled solutions, monitored by sensors for precision as needed. Plant roots are held in place by persistent drought which continues to increase the vulnerability of people living in arid to semi-arid lands. Vertical farming seems to be the logical step to take to provide relief not only through job creation but also through job creation. ensure accessibility to affordable food products at the local level. With little or no soil use, plants grown this way mature more quickly than plants grown traditionally. Currently, the risks associated with this type of agriculture constitute the major challenge faced by farmers who engage in this activity.il. Therefore, the complementarity between the two forms of agriculture can go a long way in feeding the nation as a whole. With technologies that can optimize food production between traditional and vertical farming, costs can be significantly reduced. The Third Agricultural Revolution The face of agriculture has changed since humans discovered that we could farm to support ourselves. Large-scale farming, now known as traditional farming, has been the primary form of agriculture known to humans for centuries. However, facing the challenges of climate change, plant and animal diseases and other calamities synonymous with natural weather conditions, new methods of agriculture have emerged. According to Despommier, the first green revolution occurred "10 to 15,000 years ago" when humans discovered that they could grow cereals like "corn, wheat, millet and other cereals" using raw technological tools. The second green revolution occurred around 1932 where hydroponics was introduced but never really exploited. It was at this stage that farmers began to select which grains to grow. All of this happened on traditional soil-based farms. Also during this revolution, scientists developed ways to genetically manipulate plants to obtain desired plant species. Finally, Despommier believes that we are at the dawn of a third agricultural revolution where the optimal use of ICT tools will be the future of intelligent agriculture. Smart agriculture essentially involves using ICT tools to improve the growth of plants and crops in controlled environments. At the local level, as South Africa strives to feed a growing population, through largely traditional farming methods, newer and innovative vertical farming methods are emerging. Technologies are developed and..