Stage of Innovation: Idea (You have thought it through and documented it)

Problem: CULTIVATING ROOT AND TUBER CROPS(YAM) COMMERCIALLY USUALLY REQUIRES LARGE EXPANSE OF LAND, LABOUR AND INVESTMENT. YET THE SUCCESS IS HUGELY DEPENDENT ON FACTORS LIKE WEATHER PHENOMENAS(which complicates production because of weather unpredictability and climate variability),TRADITIONAL SEED PLANTS, SOIL NUTRIENTS, STAKING, LABOUR, HARVESTING etc. . MY GOAL IS TO MODERNIZE THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF CULTIVATING YAM FOR INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY BY; - Adapting the concept of vertical farming without reliance on technology and high energy consumption. - Ensure all year round production by adapting the concept of Drip Irrigation using nutrient rich water solutions (which reduces the unsustainable use of water for farming) - Eliminate the need for large expanse of land for commercial production and indiscriminate cutting down of trees for staking(yam). - Reduction of atmospheric carbon for improved air quality (vertical farms act as a tree) - Apply meteorological products for increased productivity. - Produce quality crops of international standards. - Education and Integration of improved method in farms all around the world for sustainability and preservation of our ecosystem.

Unique Selling Point: Almost every stage of producing yam is labour-intensive, putting off the youth in the field of yam production which affects the scale of yam production. Production process from bush clearing, cultivation, chemical application, harvesting and transporting to markets is still labor intensive(About 49% of the labour expenditure to produce a hectare of harvested yam tubers in the rain forest agroecology of Nigeria). Maximum food production and availability is threatened where inputs are used inefficiently. The Traditional method of Yam production and some of the proposed solutions are; - Land Fallowing: This is a system that requires abandoning the farming land for a period of time in order to regain nutrient. With this solution, planting seasons would not be wasted because of fallowing. Nutrient rich water solution would be delivered to already treated soil(manure compost treatment and BioChar) in an efficient and controlled manner. - Clearing/Ploughing: . In the case of tractor ploughing, the farmer will usually go through the ploughed land and further clear grasses that are left under trees after which a second ploughing will be done before mounds are raised. This whole stage that is annually done would be completely eliminated. The solution requires a one time installation of specially designed structures which can be dismantled for transportation or repurposed as needed. - Labor intensive Ridge/mound making process: There would be no need for mounds which are prone to water erosion. seed yam would be planted in specially designed PODS which would be above ground level. - Insecticide and Herbicide Application: Genetically improved seed yams reduces the need for chemicals which are not environmentally friendly. Also, like in most vertical farms, the environment is controlled and above ground thus reducing the likelihood of infections. - Minisett technique of seed propagation: This technique would be replaced with Seed yams that are genetically improved and Resistant to pest and diseases. They can be acquired from institutions like IITA(International Institute of Tropical Agriculture). - Mulching: A sustainable mulch design which is integrated with the POD would be used for efficient soil moisture retention - Staking : which is proven to have enhancing effects on yam yields is sparingly done in traditional fields due to the palpable difficulties in accessing stakes as a result of the ongoing massive deforestation, the labor demand for their placement and the environmental damage associated with their use renders this practice uneconomical. My solutions involves a structure that is specifically designed to mimic the staking effect and enhance yield. - Reliance on rainfall: Unpredictability of weather patterns makes production even more difficult. My solution involves the use of drip irrigation technique for precise water delivery (conservative farming) and all year round production. - Hydroponics /Aeroponics system: This is a soilless technique that involves nutrient delivery directly to the root of the crop. It is however useless for root vegetables like yam. My solution involves the use of pre-treated soil and adaptation of hydroponics technique to drip irrigation technique for precise water delivery and all year round production - Reliance on Technology: Vertical farms requires a hands on approach whereby the farmer cannot afford for the technology to fail at any time. Failure of the irrigation system for example could lead to complete loss of produce because the crops do not have any water reserves. My solution is a blend of the traditional and the modern method of yam production. Technology would be mostly utilized for Data gathering. Automation is limited. High Energy Consumption: Modern vertical farms are know for high energy consumption especially the LED light. My solution encourages natural lighting by design. In fact, from research, yam flourishes in natural sunlight