AeroWalls: Elevating Basil Cultivation Success
Aeroroot collaborated with BCCAI in developing aeroponic basil through their AeroWalls, a technology that allow farmers to grow crops anywhere with no soil and up to 90% less water.
The problem
British Columbia, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse climates, faces unique challenges in traditional outdoor agriculture. The region's agricultural sector wrestles with the unpredictability of weather patterns, ranging from heavy rainfall to sudden temperature fluctuations. Such variations can jeopardize crop yields and quality, making it challenging for farmers to ensure consistent production. Adding to these challenges are growing concerns about water scarcity, a pressing issue in BC. Agriculture, being a significant consumer of water resources, must adapt to more sustainable practices to alleviate strain on local water supplies. The demand for environmentally conscious and resource-efficient farming methods has never been more urgent.
The solution
At BCCAI, we champion innovative initiatives that aim to minimize the impacts of climate change and address environmental challenges responsibly and sustainably. In 2022, we proudly funded Aeroroot, a Surrey-based startup company that commercializes growing systems and passive greenhouses, for developing and testing AeroWalls – equipment that enables farmers to utilize the aeroponic method of growing plants without soil. In this technique, roots are suspended in a nutrient mist, offering numerous advantages, including faster growth rates, increased oxygenation to the roots, and more efficient nutrient absorption. AeroWalls empower farmers to cultivate crops indoors with no soil, utilizing up to 90% less water.
Leveraging BCCAI’s co-creation model and expansive network of partners, Aeroroot conducted cultivation trials inside a greenhouse at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) to establish best management practices and quality standards. The primary objective of these trials was to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to consistently produce high-quality aeroponic basil using Aeroroot’s proprietary automated vertical growing system and to package the harvested herbs securely. The support from the KPU team was crucial in optimizing basil growing methods through aeroponics and devising solutions to combat potential pests and diseases.
Following a successful period of experimentation and testing, Aeroroot can now produce basil in an optimized and sustainable manner, demonstrating improved resource management. The first batch of basil grown with AeroWalls was unveiled in December 2023 at an event at KPU in Langley. Aeroroot's basil is also available for purchase on the DirectFood platform, providing consumers with access to locally grown, sustainable produce.
Status: Completed
- $34,000 in funds
- Four new HQP jobs created during the project
