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Introduction
staple for human life to thrive. [1] Agriculture is a crucial sector in society because it is
the only one that provides food and shelter to its people while also enhancing the ecology
of the land. On the other hand, farming, in general, is the practice of cultivating land and
raising animals to produce food for the purpose of sustaining and enhancing human life.
Nowadays, smart farming is becoming a common practice. The way modern farmers and
agriculture industries operate differs greatly from how they did in the past, largely due to
technology. This study was originally conceived with the aim of creating an automated
flowerpot. However, to enhance the significance and coherence of the concept, the
employed in the available lands within the confines of the Philippines. [***] This type of
the use of soil. With this technique, crops are cultivated and nurtured in a water-based
environment. These crops are noted for their high efficiency and abundance of beneficial
connection to their roots through an 'aqueous solvent,' bypassing the need for traditional
soil. The practice has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential for higher crop
yields, more efficient use of resources, and year-round crop production. [****]
Research Gap
The total land area of the Philippines is approximately 298,170 square kilometers.
About 41% only of the land is classified as agricultural land. [2] That is why in this
paper, the primary objective is to design a modern vertical farming system using
Land for agriculture is becoming limited in urban areas and the concept of vertical
farming could help increase land productivity. [3] The world’s population is expected to
increase by another 2 billion people by the year 2050 and eventually, it will lead to a
bigger challenge, feeding more people with limited land. [4] In addition, as urban areas
are expected to be more prone to air pollution, this increases their need for farming.
Fortunately, new farming technology, such as vertical agriculture, offers an excellent way
to meet these challenges and produce the food needed for future generations. [5] This
vegetables or foods on a single level. This farming method results in more crop
production within the same square footage of the growing area. [6] Consequently, this
can contribute to space conservation, making urban areas more functional and conducive
to well-being.
farms were mentioned to be more profitable than conventional farms due to their cost-
country. [7]
Beyond the issues mentioned, researchers strive to create a technologically
advanced system tailored for hydroponic farming, ensuring its utility. With that, here are
Crop Selection: Numerous studies have indicated that hydroponic farming can
important for researchers to study on how to identify the optimal crops suited
Energy Efficiency: Hydroponic system needs energy for its operation; thus, it
as identifying ways to reduce energy use through system design and operation.
Economic Viability: As the primary goal of this study is to advocate for the
researchers need to evaluate both the costs and inherent benefits associated
produce in layers that are vertically stacked in a non-controlled environment. This type of
farming system often involves cultivating plants with the goal of enhancing plant growth,
using soilless farming methods like hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics. However,
studies show that this relatively new agricultural concept (hydroponics) was proven to
have a higher yield compared to conventional farming techniques [8], such as increasing
the number of plants it grows. That means, in most cases, it could double the harvest
from a similar number of plants over the time it takes to grow in a traditional garden. This
study seeks to prove how hydroponic farming enables plants to grow at a faster rate when
vertical grow tower incorporates solar power to enhance its cost-effectiveness. Solar
energy plays a pivotal role in this project for several compelling reasons. It aids in
enhances water management, increases crop yields, and represents a durable, long-term
investment.
Sustainable urban farming and food production have gained significant attention
b. Energy Consumption
c. Low maintenance
a. Level of Production
b. Quality of Harvest
i. Number of Leaves
ii. Taste
iii. Weight
3. How the end users attain and benefit from the system.
This study focuses on the benefits and advantages of smart farming, specifically
cultivate four different types of plants. However, employing this method may pose
challenges in effectively harvesting fruits, given the varying durations of growth for each
plant. As a result, the research now centers around four varieties of leafy vegetables:
lettuce, petchay (pai-tsai), basil, and spinach. With this, the primary aspect of the research
will be based on both leaf sizes and the quality of the harvested plants. Moreover, to fully
assess the effectiveness of the system, the Department of Agriculture in Tarlac has agreed
to take on the responsibility of thoroughly testing the overall quality of the plants.
Surveys and interviews will also be conducted with individuals knowledgeable about
planting.
Patent Research
Today, numerous machines and systems have already emerged and are currently
being implemented in the agriculture industry. Most of these devices are designed using
technology and are reinforced with mechanical instruments. In conducting this paper, the
researchers examined various patented studies and utility to acquire insights into the
Among the previous studies was the innovation by Sperry et al., presenting a
vertical hydroponic growth system and method that includes a cylindrical enclosure and
incorporates automated features. The enclosure serves as the greenhouse that can be used
for plant protection and climate control. This system is also made for controlled
that can electronically communicate with the growth control system, using touch screen
offer space-saving features and promotes improved convenience and recyclability. It has
growing medium, with an internal skeleton that may be a rigid pipe longitudinally
interposed within the mesh envelope that supports the mesh envelope enclosing the plant
medium from within the envelope. Consequently, the plants will grow outside the
envelope and extend through the perforations. The plant roots find support within the
A utility model designed by Guo Zhiqian et al., presents a hydroponic device that
is specifically related to a kind of device used for plants such as hydroponic flowers,
crop. The utility model serves to offer a hydroponic plant device where the nutrient
solution circulates automatically, eliminating the need for manual operation and
oxygenation. The targeted nature of the nutrient solution fertilizer ensures rapid plant
Upon learning, the researchers concluded that the studies and models mentioned
above have still the potential to be enhanced into a significantly more useful and
available natural resources by creating a grow tower that can be applied in a non-
controlled environment and adding solar panels as its power source. The research also
hydroponics being designed can grow four different types of plants in a single water tank.
It also comes equipped with a timer and various sensors such as water and pH level
sensors, making it a system with a minimal maintenance requirement. With all these
The image above illustrates the entire process of the hydroponic grow tower. This
system initiates as the solar panel absorbs natural sunlight, subsequently storing the
acquired energy in the battery. A charge controller is a crucial component in renewable
energy systems, especially those involving solar panels and batteries. Its primary function
is to regulate the charging process of batteries, ensuring they receive the optimal amount
of power without overcharging or causing damage. Once the battery is charged, it powers
up the microcontrollers and water pump. The water pump then delivers water to the grow
towers, completing the process and successfully maintaining the growth of hydroponic
plants.
Tower
Figure 2.0 depicts the interconnection of the whole system. The solar panel,
charge controller, battery, and water pump are interconnected with wiring connections,
is directly linked to the water tank, distributing water supply to the four grow towers.
With all these connections, the grow tower should successfully support the growth of
hydroponic plants.
Figure 2b: Schematic Diagram of pH Sensor using Arduino Nano
Figure 2 shows the detailed circuit diagram of the Arduino based pH sensor,
designed for the purpose of assessing the water acidity for the grow tower. In this circuit,
the Arduino Nano serves as the microprocessor for the pH sensor module. The
connections are as follows: Pins VCC, GND, SCL, and SDA of the OLED display are
linked to pins 3V3, GND, A5, and A4 on the Arduino Nano, respectively. Additionally,
the Arduino Nano pins 5V, GND, and Ao are connected to the pH sensor pins V+, G, and
Po. This sensor monitors the acidity of the water flowing in the hydroponic grow tower.
Despite the benefits and advantages that hydroponics provides, there are still
hydroponic systems tend to be costly. Aside from these, the main power source of the
tower is coming from the sun, thus, varying weather conditions will be a concern.
Additionally, the formation of algae is another issue that will be experienced. This is
because of the build-up of different microorganisms in the water. The pipes may
eventually become brittle from too much sun exposure, which might lead to cracks and
water leaking. Poor engineering construction of the design might also result in improper
water distribution. These anticipated issues can serve as an opportunity for the