For his transformative “Hydroponic Farm-in- a-Box” innovation, which exemplifies an inclusive, circular, and climate-smart approach to sustainable urban food systems and resilient community livelihoods.
In Jos, Nigeria, Israel Smart, a creative technologist, product designer, and social entrepreneur, is redefining how African cities confront food insecurity, plastic pollution, and unemployment. Through Smartel Agri-Tech, he has pioneered the Hydroponic Farm-in-a-Box, a solar-powered, vertical farming system crafted entirely from recycled plastic.
This compact innovation transforms unused rooftops, balconies, and courtyards into vibrant gardens, producing fresh, pesticide-free vegetables where arable land is scarce. More than just a farming solution, it is a circular economy model, turning urban waste into productive assets, creating dignified green jobs, and placing climate-smart food production directly in the hands of communities often excluded from formal food systems.
Smart’s vision is rooted in lived experience, having grown up in a farming family and witnessed firsthand the impacts of hunger and environmental degradation. Today, his work is recognised globally for its fusion of technology, sustainability, and social impact. Smartel Agri-Tech stands as a replicable blueprint for sustainable urbanisation, demonstrating that with innovation and community empowerment, cities can be greener, healthier, and more resilient.
