RAPAD’s economic sustainability is presently derived by livestock agriculture business.
Diversifying to closed system farming practices needed to consider initial set-up and maintenance costs and profitability of crop production if a vertical farm was implemented.
The social issues that impede affordability and accessibility to fresh plant produce is the remote location and reduced accessibility and affordability to fresh produce in the RAPAD region as it is presently imported.
Collaborative and respectful engagement was conducted with RAPAD, community stakeholders, a local school, academics, commercial vertical farming companies and a visit to an operational vertical farm; this process established the costs and human and material resources required to successfully implement a small and or large-scale vertical farming project.
