The Almeria region, once defined as the desert of Spain, has become the vegetable and fruit capital of Europe today with its orchards and greenhouses.
In addition to the intensive greenhouse cultivation in the region, new techniques used in fruit and vegetable production have brought prosperity to the region.
A group of Spanish companies working with the Spanish Feder-Innterconecta program and the Center for the Development of Industrial Technology has developed the Greendomo project, a dome-like structure that can be used for crop production in city parks, on terraces or attics of houses.
Juan PARDO, the technical director of the project, explains Greendomo's philosophy:
“The Greendomo greenhouse, shaped like a geodesic dome, is a structure made up of triangles, the simplest geometric shape.”
“Energy consumption and material use are kept to a minimum so that there are no structural barriers to the absorption of solar radiation for plants to perform photosynthesis.”
"Light energy is distributed more evenly here, so there are no shadows that damage plants."
With Greendomo's vertical planting system with rotating columns, crops can be grown all year round, protecting them from the damage of adverse weather conditions and providing 70% water savings.
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This production system can be installed in parks, squares and even on the terraces of buildings.
Juan PARDO believes that the products produced with this system can be more profitable than traditional agriculture. “With this system, there will be advantages such as transportation savings, carbon footprint restrictions and sourcing of fresh produce, since products are produced at close range. More importantly, the consumer will pay more for a freshly harvested product.”
Greendomo looks set to play a big role in urban farming and agriculture in the future. However, this project requires the support of governments and leading organizations. The project could make a major contribution to food security and enable productions that could turn the daily lives of city dwellers around the world.