SMART URBAN FARMING WITH SUSTAINABLE MINI-GARDEN AS A TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTION TO FOOD INSECURITY

Elizabeth Puelles Bulnes M.; Luis Inche Mitma J.; Espinoza V.A.A.; Carlos Miguel Ángel Gonzáles Lévano J.; Atoche Puelles A.L.; Levy Cristobal Espinoza Y.; Augusto Atoche Puelles Y. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2025) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2025.1.1.2454

Resumen

Currently, more than half of Peru’s population is experiencing food insecurity. According to the 2022 “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World” (SOFI) report, an estimated 16.6 million Peruvians are affected, with an unprecedented upward trend. Furthermore, data from Peru's National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI, 2021) indicate that 25% of the population lives in poverty, while anemia and obesity are increasing due to the inability of over half the population to access a healthy diet. The Second Citizen Monitoring Report on Pesticides in Food (2023) evaluated the presence of toxic residues in fresh produce sold at 18 supermarkets and markets across the cities of Arequipa, Cusco, Huaraz, and Huánuco. Of the 103 samples analyzed, 44.6% were deemed unfit for human consumption. The global crisis, along with rising food prices and the effects of climate change, further exacerbates this situation. This study presents the design, implementation, and initial evaluation of an automated domestic hydroponic system using biodegradable nutrient capsules. It was developed as a technological proposal aimed at improving food security in vulnerable urban environments. The objective was to construct a low-cost, easy-to-maintain, and replicable domestic mini-garden for vegetables, applying principles of sustainability, biology, mechatronic, engineering, physics, and user-centered design. The methodology combined the use of sensors for automated system monitoring, controlled trials with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in a home greenhouse, and physicochemical analysis of the behavior of the controlled-release capsules. The results showed a gradual release of nutrients, an increase in plant biomass, and a reduction in operational intervention. The system demonstrated technical and functional viability in low-tech contexts, promoting the use of appropriate technologies for self-cultivation. The implementation of this smart domestic mini garden involves the participation of vulnerable communities, ensuring that the technology is not only accessible but also adapted to their needs, capacities, and local conditions. This inclusive and participatory approach ensures that the project not only provides a technical solution but also strengthens food self-sufficiency and resilience among urban populations most affected by the lack of access to fresh and nutritious food.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Ricardo Palma