The future effect of Climate Change upon small islands is likely to impact food availability ("both "home-grown and imported). The Passive Vertical Farm Research Facility will provide a location where research on existing and new crops can be performed in managed conditions. The main objective of the facility is to help to improve food security by enabling food to grow more effectively and also in "urban" locations. Fertigation, "grow pod" size and design and companion planting will all be investigated as ways to improve yields, reduce pesticide requirements and reduce "manpower" - adapting ideas from permaculture. In addition to existing crops, the facility will also research "novel" or new crops that could be used either for direct human nutrition or to supplement animal feed. It is envisaged that the Facility will also conduct research into the "seeding" of seaweed gametes directly onto growing lines to greatly increase the efficiency and yield of the seaweed farms at Rodrigues and beyond. Whilst the facility will initially be utilised for internal research, it is intended that it will, in future, also be available to other researchers to conduct their own food security research projects because the availability suitable research facilities on Rodrigues is limited.
