Design of a technologically enhanced greenhouse mediated by pollinators for UNAD-CCAV Facatativá

Contextualization: Traditional agriculture faces challenges such as low productivity, inefficient resource use, and a negative environmental impact. This has led to the need to implement sustainable and efficient agricultural production systems that take advantage of local agro-ecological conditions and promote biodiversity conservation. Studies have shown that insect-assisted pollination can increase crop yields by 20% to 40%, leading to more uniform, larger, and tastier fruits. Pollinators can also help control pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Regions such as Europe, North America, and Asia are pioneers in the use of this technique.

Knowledge gap: In the Sabana de Occidente region of the department of Cundinamarca, there is no known project that implements pollination mediation in crops.

Purpose: This project arises as an initiative to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of implementing this type of system under a controlled environment. The project focuses on the design of a technified greenhouse for tomato and strawberry crops mediated by pollinators at UNAD CCAV Facatativá. The greenhouse will also allow for the academic strengthening of students from the ECAPMA and ECBTI schools by providing a space for research and laboratory practices.

Methodology: A mixed-method correlational research approach was used for the project development. It began with a literature search and data collection in the field. The location, size, and technical characteristics of the pollinator-mediated technified greenhouse were then defined, based on soil use parameters described in the Land Use Plan (POT) of the Municipality of Facatativá.

Results and conclusions: The project achieved the 2D and 3D design of the greenhouse, the selection of the Bombus Atratus species as a pollinator, and the identification of the electronic instrumentation to monitor and control the Temperature and Humidity variables of both the greenhouse and the pollinator's hive.