"During the Climate-Smart Agriculture International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) with the U.S. Department of State, we had the opportunity to tour Atlantic Beach Urban Farms, a facility that specializes in indoor cultivation using aeroponic technology," Kendria Ferguson, Bahamas Disaster Consultant at United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), shares on LinkedIn. "Aeroponics is a method of cultivating plants in a misty environment without relying on soil or any harmful chemicals. Their climate-controlled greenhouse is equipped with over two hundred vertical towers and has the capability to yield thousands of pounds of high-quality fresh greens all year round."
Kendria says that the Bahamas relies on imports for more than 90% of its food needs, with the United States being the primary source. "In recent years, the agricultural sector has faced challenges in reestablishing its former economic success, characterized by a varied export market and significant crop and livestock production. Limited access to public funds, grant opportunities, and insurance coverage has hindered the ability of numerous farmers to expand and seek support. Despite these obstacles, there is a pressing need to increase food production in a timely manner."
"As we look to the future, it's important to recognize that while we may not entirely eliminate the need for food imports, we can certainly take steps to minimize our reliance on them," Kendria says. "One effective way to achieve this is by implementing similar aeroponic technology that can reduce the influx of competitive imports and enhance our capacity to distribute and support large-scale productivity outputs within our own agricultural framework."
"I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of this facility and appreciate the team's engagement!" she adds.
For more information:
Atlantic Beach Urban Farms 
www.atlanticbeachurbanfarms.com