Abstract
Soilless agricultural systems (SAS) systems are gaining popularity due to their potential to overcome challenges in traditional soil-based agriculture. They reduce resource use and emissions while increasing fresh produce access in urban areas. However, SAS implementation faces limitations due to high costs and reliance on imported resources. The MADLoop project aims to develop waste material recovery strategies for local SAS resources to enhance self-sufficiency and food security in urban informal settlements in Nairobi. It seeks to integrate waste valorization for SAS development and assess agronomic and environmental implications. The project also focuses on increasing availability and forming a network to encourage material circularity. The project's methodology comprises three main pillars, the first involving material flow analysis to quantify existing material and resource flows focusing on revalorization into SAS substrate, nutrients, and construction materials. The second pillar involves the applicability of potential materials, requiring their collection and characterization to identify the suitability for crop production, additionally testing these materials in various SAS structures and research installations. The final pillar addresses environmental analysis and upscaling feasibility, using life cycle assessment to determine the environmental impact of recovered material application in SAS. The MADLoop project expects significant impacts in scientific, economic/technological, and societal aspects. It aims to generate new knowledge on waste resources valorization strategies. A successful implementation can create new markets, reduce reliance on imports, and investment costs for SAS. The project's outcomes can lead to increased local resilience, reduced production emissions, and improve resource availability and affordability, extending beyond the assessed area, benefiting small-scale farmers, local citizens, and food production in various regions.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Veronica Arcas Pilz
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari
Coordinatore:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Costo totale di progetto: Euro (EUR) 249.550,00
Contributo totale di progetto: Euro (EUR) 249.550,00
Costo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 249.550,00
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 249.550,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 36
Data di inizio
15/05/2025
Data di fine:
14/05/2028
