Design and fabrication of a low-cost greenhouse for small-scale farming in tropical climates

Abstract

As the world's population grows, so does the magnitude of food insecurity. There is increasingly a need for sustainable methods of agricultural production, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Increasing production solves the problem of food insecurity and reduces dependence on imports, thereby increasing national and regional Gross Domestic Products (GDPs). This project aims to design and fabricate a low-cost greenhouse for crop production in Sierra Leone. This design is integrated with a control system consisting of appropriate sensors to simulate suitable optimum conditions for crop growth and photosynthesis. An appropriate prototype is fabricated with a detailed analysis of the design.