Aeroponics is the practice of growing plants without soil, with roots in a misty environment Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to enough, safe & nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active & healthy lifestyle

1. AEROPONICS
A Tool for food security
Ogbole Samson
Co-Founder, PS Nutraceuticals
MBBS (Madonna), B. Sc Biochemistry (Igbinedion), *M.Sc Biochemistry (Ibadan), *MBA (CEMBA)
Certifications: Public Health (Albany), Food and Nutrition (Stanford), Biotechnology (FUNAAB)
14th May, 2016

2. What Is Food Security?
14th May, 2016
“Food security exists when all people,
at all times, have physical and
economic access to enough, safe and
nutritious food to meet their dietary
needs and food preferences for an
active and healthy lifestyle”
•To be "food secure" means…
Food is available / Food is affordable / Food is
utilised

3. Food and Water Security
14th May, 2016

4. THE GOAL
14th May, 2016
•To bring to each one present here an
awareness of a methodology of cultivation
called Aeroponics.
•To educate the participants of how this
technology can play an important part in
helping conserve water and yet derive yields
of unimaginable magnitudes.
•The HOW of Aeroponics

5. THE YEARNING – OUR EARNING
14th May, 2016
• Nigerians are demanding high quality, pesticide free,
fresh produce. Money not the criterion.
• Growing demand for high quality, microbe free,
medicinal and aromatic plants.
• People are aware of dangers of pesticides, global
warming and its ill effects. Media plays an important
role.
• Consistency, quality and yields is possible only by
modern techniques of cultivation.

6. What is Aeroponics?
14th May, 2016
It is the practice of growing plants
without soil, with roots in a misty
environment

7. Benefits of Aeroponics Cultivation - 1
14th May, 2016
Field versus Soil-less grown
Open field
• Farmer has no control on environment.
• Yields are not accurately predicted.
• Budgeting is ineffective.
• Cannot always ensure adequate aeration of the root zone.
Soil-less/Aeroponics
• Gives grower effective control over the environment.
• Yields are very predictable.
• Budgeting is easier,
• Root zone aeration as well as adequate porosity of medium is ensured.

8. Benefits of Aeroponics Cultivation - 2
14th May, 2016
Plant nutrition
• Aeroponic nutrient solutions can be tailored to the plant’s requirements,
whereas in the field there is a tendency to over or under-fertilise.
• Aeroponic produce has all the macro/micro-nutrients that are needed by
the human body.
• Nutrients in the soil are often fixed as insoluble compounds that are not
available to plants and therefore a loss to the grower.
• Uneven nutrition is ensured by virtue of leaching and sloping of land
gradients.

9. Benefits of Aeroponics Cultivation - 3
14th May, 2016
Water Security and Savings
• Irrigation water in field grown operations cannot be effectively
recycled.
• Aeroponics can reduce irrigation water usage by 95% by recycling
the run-off water.
• As water becomes scarce, and important as a resource, the use of
aeroponics and other water saving technologies is needed now and
is poised to increase in time.

10. Benefits of Aeroponics Cultivation - 4
14th May, 2016
Microbial Diseases
• Fungal disease can be significantly reduced through controlled
humidity.
• The Aeroponic system will reduce the amount of exposed
moisture in the growing environment.
• Aeroponics will effectively prevent wetting of the leaf surfaces
which, in normal agriculture, provides the fungal spores with the
perfect medium to proliferate.
• Aeroponics eliminates the possibilities of root diseases by
allowing sufficient porosity for drainage of excess water as well as
increases oxygen availability to the root zone.
• Root zone temperatures are maintained as is ideal to ensure good
growth of the plant.

11. Benefits of Aeroponics Cultivation - 5
14th May, 2016
Labour
• Weeds are a major problem in Soil cultivation and calls for the use
of harmful herbicides. Most farmers spend an enormous amount of
money on labor for weeding.
• All labour inputs associated with soil management, such as digging
and weeding are eliminated with aeroponics.
• Substrates being sterile and inert, do not influence or allow weeds
to flourish.

12. Benefits of Aeroponics Cultivation - 6
14th May, 2016
Pest Management
 The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in protected
environments is ideally suited to Aeroponic growing techniques,
especially when carried out in a protected environment such as a
glasshouse or plastic/polythene tunnels.
• The use of IPM can virtually eliminate the need to use toxic and
expensive chemical pesticides.
• Whereas IPM is much more difficult in Soil cultivation and calls for
near total use of dangerous, life threatening chemical pesticides.
• Diseases and pests from neighboring farms can cause spread of
diseases in one’s field crops.

13. Commercial Aeroponics
Some Yields Tons/Acre/Year/Season
14th May, 2016
• Lettuce 300-400 Tons
• Strawberries 50 Tons
• Cucumber 200 Tons
• Tomato 180-200 Tons
• Bell Pepper 120-140 Tons
*Note: Figures are conservative.
You see and ask “Why”?
I believe and say “Why Not?”

14. Summary of Aeroponics benefits
14th May, 2016
Market Control
Environment Control
No Soil – No Problem
Pests and Diseases are eliminated
Less labour inputs for the owner of the system
Higher Value Crops as they are healthier and tastier
Longer Shelf Life due to minimum injury to produce
 Extended Growing Season as it is not weather dependent
Improved Produce Quality because of greenhouse technology
Increased Yields and Growth Rates due to exposure to oxygen
Reduced water consumption unlike geoponics (soil) or hydroponics
 Happier Workers using remote and different technologies to control plant growing

15. Beneficiaries from Commercial Aeroponics
14th May, 2016
Retail Chains Private Investors
Public Sector Companies Hotel Chains
Fast Food Chains Processed Food Industry as Backward Integration
Railway Catering companies Corporate Hospitals
FFV Exporters Large land owners
NGO’s Foreign Retail Companies (Outsourcing)
Defence establishments Public-Private Partnerships.
* FFV-Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

16. Government Support
14th May, 2016
Has government support in many
developed countries.
Nigeria is yet to wake up to this reality.

17. Aeroponics: Magical Agric?
14th May, 2016
No. Not Plug and Play.
Needs diligence and devotion
Aeroponics is not forgiving.
Needs skill but achievable
Over confidence can kill crops

18. Before Aeroponics, you should:
14th May, 2016
Capital costs.
Trained Manpower.
Education required.
Attention to shifting market demands.
Attention to crop growing or cultural practices.
Knowledge of IPM.
Knowledge of Environment Controls in GH.
Knowledge of Climate Controls.
Knowledge of Bio-friendly insects.

19. Is Aeroponic Industry Expanding?
14th May, 2016
YES

20. Aeroponic Leadership
14th May, 2016
Yes, we need to convene an association in Nigeria
for Commercial Aeroponic Growers even before
we start the first commercial system in our
country.

21. 14th May, 2016
Should not compete with soil grown produce.
Usually gets a better price based on looks,
texture, taste, consistency on daily basis, high
nutrition value, reliable supply year round etc.
Extent to which premiums are realized are based
on seasonal volumes, marketing, presentation
(Branding), product quality.
It is marketed more on the quality and consistency,
rather than the method of production.
Aeroponic Product Marketing

22. Export Sales
14th May, 2016
Sales opportunities abound for Nigerian producers due to
better production cost, achievable and rare varieties.
Markets are in USA, EU, Far and Middle East.
Nigeria has excellent connectivity to above by land, sea
and air.
Freight costs from Nigeria are high at this time and with
better governmental support can be alleviated.

23. Commercial Aeroponics: SWOT Analysis
14th May, 2016
S t r e n g t h s
• Makes any land with good water source useful for production.
• Nutrient and pH controls are very accurate and effective.
• High Yields from lesser space.
• Facilitates the easy adoption of IPM.
• Climate certainty.
• Root zone temperature is maintained.
• Effective drainage and availability of root level Oxygen.
• Production possible in difficult environments.
• Some crops need closed environments. Cross Pollination is avoided.
• Needs less land to grow more.
• Conserves water by lower usage.

24. Commercial Aeroponics: SWOT Analysis
14th May, 2016
S t r e n g t h s C o n t d .
• Produce can get premium prices and appeals to discerning
customers.
• Can target niche markets and set up in urban areas without
disturbing the ecology as less labor means lesser costs.
• As Aeroponic growers increase, dedicated supply chains will be
established.
• Growers can specialize in just one product.
• Dedicated Aeroponic Food Parks are a near term reality.
• Research centers in Aeroponics can help create and disseminate
protocols and cultural practices for vegetables, herbs, flowers and
aromatic and medicinal plants.

25. Commercial Aeroponics: SWOT Analysis
14th May, 2016
W e a k n e s s
•No industry association or bodies in Aeroponics yet
•Growers must specialize and carve a niche for themselves.
•Branding is a must for success.
•The technology is quite new to Nigeria and needs more
diligence and devotion but PS NUTRAC is here
•Cannot compete with soil grown produce and not
comparable “apple to apple”.
•No universities teach Aeroponics in Nigeria and dedicated
research yet.

26. Commercial Aeroponics: SWOT Analysis
14th May, 2016
O p p o r t u n i t i e s
• To promote Aeroponic produce, where appropriate, as low or no
chemical use and sustainable.
• Chance to develop and certify Aeroponics as organic.
• Aeroponic growers can form cooperatives to achieve better returns.
• Ability to brand, package and sell produce as clean, healthy and
unique.
• Phasing out the use of Methyl Bromide will call for technologies that
use low chemical, low water use systems like Aeroponics.
• Opportunity abounds in creation of more growth products such as
special gingers, saffron, turmeric etc which are cash crops.

27. Commercial Aeroponics: SWOT Analysis
14th May, 2016
T H R E A T S
• Aeroponic produce must not compete on price, but on quality.
• GMO produce are being marketed vigorously and may be a threat to
Aeroponic produce.
• Imports from even cheaper countries of Aeroponic produce could be
a threat, but none seen as such in near future.
• Some consumers have this perception that Aeroponics is unnatural.
• Growers must organize themselves with unity and make lasting
supply arrangements to be in profitable markets.

28. Requirement for Aeroponic Set-up
14th May, 2016
1. Capital
2. Location and Siting is very important.
3. Climatic conditions in the area.
4. Water must be of good quality in chosen area.
5. Choice of right crop and a potential market.
6. Proximity to markets.
7. Logistics involved.
8. Good Agronomists selected prior with ground level experience. No theory
masters.
9. Topography of the land/ slope characteristics.
10. Wind direction and speed, temperature range, frost frequency, rainfall,
humidity are all important considerations.

29. Choice of Commercial Aeroponics System
14th May, 2016
Type 1
Boutique style growers with a niche market close by.
Produces special produce. Eg. Culinary/Medicinal Herbs
Type 2
Family farms that are part of a larger cooperative.
Product sold by cooperative and achieves greater economies of
scale.
Type 3
Corporate farms with investors who are not in day to day
operations but left to a central management. Has a production
sufficient to capitalize on economies of scale

30. Reasons for Failure of Commercial Aeroponics System
14th May, 2016
I. Venture not established in a realistic economic framework like
manageable loan repayments, cash flow etc.
II. Selection of system/crop/markets/correct management not done.
III. Crop production management inadequacy.
IV. Yield and quality did not meet budget projections.
V. Lack of diligence on part of the crew.
VI. Non adherence to growing protocols.
VII. Insufficient attention to marketing.
VIII. Lack of necessary labour.
IX. Incorrect pricing of produce.
X. Product not tailored as per demand.

31. Profitability of Commercial Aeroponics System
14th May, 2016
•Production scale, increasing returns to increasing
size. Ability to supply promised amount with
quality and consistency.
•Capacity to add value and/or..
•Find and exploit a unique and high return/value
market niche.

32. Creating a Niche
1. Ability to learn and rapidly expand operations after learning curve is
completed and markets established.
2. Willingness to seek and share information on production and markets to
compliment each other’s strengths.
3. Working in cooperation with other growers and institutions.
4. Effective utilization of government grants and subsidies.
5. Take part in field trips to explore export markets.
6. Must try to attain the highest possible world standards
7. A scale of production that permits cost efficiencies and must be of interest
to major corporations.
8. Ability to supply year round.
9. Ability to pack and sell hygienic produce and value add.
10. Maximum use of IPM.
11. Constant R&D is a must to improve systems and processes and reduce
wastages.
12. Competitive pricing.
13. Success must be focused up on market needs rather than just
technological innovation.

33. Conclusion
14th May, 2016
The Commercial Aeroponics industry is a successful
industry and is rapidly expanding.
The market is larger than opined as produce is sold on
quality rather than production method.
Aeroponics cannot displace bulk commodity items.
The industry is expected to grow exponentially as
conditions of soil growing is becoming difficult.
Government intervention and university interest can
propel the use of this technology.

34. 14th May, 2016
psnutrac@gmail.com