Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is a technology-based approach to food production, allowing growers/food producers and agri-tech businesses to optimise growing conditions and resource usage. CEA has the potential to increase business resilience and food security in the face of factors such as climate change and land availability. This module introduces students to the latest advances in this rapidly developing area of agriculture, highlighting the benefits of a range of controlled environments and their potential for improved products and food security.

Content

The course will consist of a series of lectures and guided learning focused on:

List of Units

Introduction	The reasons for and potential benefits of CEA
Technologies and Terms	An overview of technologies and a glossary of terms used in CEA
Plant Biology and CEA	Molecular biology (Biochemical processes – molecular and cellular); Physiology (Biological functions)
Stressing Plants	Control of environmental stress and implications for human nutrition
CEA Practice	Horticultural/agronomic processes/practices applied to CEA systems
Biosecurity	Pests, pathogens, diseases and controls in CEA systems
Business Opportunities	Farm diversification, urban growing and hybrid systems
Circular Economy Solutions	Co-location with industry for resource use and energy efficiency, e.g. heat, nutrients

Tutors

Tutors Name
Dr Sarah Watson-Jones
Dr William Stiles
Dr Peter Wootton-Beard