Ever since sustainable agriculture has been making rounds on the internet, food security has always been directed towards hydroponic farming. With the growing population pressure, the need to feed everyone has become challenging. With that comes water scarcity and limited arable land.
But the question is, why do we need new ways to farm?
The answer is that there is a lot of climate change happening and if productivity isn't doubled, we would not be able to combat the rising hunger.
Therefore, in this article, we will talk about hydroponic farming and how it is contributing to sustainable food production. Let's begin.
What is Hydroponic Farming - a brief history!
Various names know hydroponics. Call it soil-less farming or best is to call it the future of farming!
A water-based nutrient solution is given to the entire process that acts as a support system and helps plant growth. Such farming practice is best for farmers who live in dry, arid or semi-arid areas.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Floating Garden of China are clear examples of how hydroponic was seen. Post that in 1937, a man named William Frederick Gericke coined the term while at service at the University of California, Berkeley. William grew tomato vines using only water and nutrients which amazed people and later more research were performed on it.
We have explained the term Hydroponic in our previous blog, you can read it here https://verticalfarmingshow.com/hydroponic-trade-shows.html
5 Benefits of Hydroponics in Sustainable Food Production are as follows
1) Resource Efficient - The two most precious resources, the land and the water which are required in contemporary farming are reduced - giving it a revolutionary shift.
The traditional farming method requires abundant soil and water and is also exposed to surface runoff and evaporation whereas the hydroponic method of farming practice is relatively a very innovative concept in which the water-based, nutrient-rich solution which we have discussed above allows direct absorption of the water in the roots.
● 90% water reduction rate is seen which is favourable for the environment.
● Large expanses of arable land are minimised.
● Highly economical as hydroponic farming is done anywhere where - on the rooftop, in abandoned buildings, basements or in any residential or commercial space.
● Space efficiency is also one of the prime factors why Hydroponics are leading the urban farming space by utilising vertical space and growing huge.
2) Ability to Manipulate Growing Conditions - The conventional mode of farming is usually dependent on factors like accurate weather conditions, soil health and ample resources which is not the case with hydroponics.
● A hydroponic setup is season-independent, meaning that the plants grown are not dependent on season change.
● Moreover, it has precise control over the environment due to its setup.
3) Higher Density Planting - The hydroponics results in a faster growth cycle employing cutting-edge technology at every stage.
● A direct supply of water and essential nutrients is done on plants' roots at a fixed time.
● In this setup, plant roots are fed directly and there's no competition for space, it uses 20% less space and can produce higher yields per square foot, per unit of time.
4) Community Building - Unlike conventional farming which can be done in an open vast space with the help of certain expertise, hydroponic farming can be done anywhere, in the home, at an office, on a terrace or balcony. Anywhere and everywhere.
● To grow plants hydroponically, you'll need plants, a container, water, something to hold the plants in place, nutrients, and a light source.
● You can grow vegetables hydroponically either outside or inside. If you're growing indoors, using artificial lights can help the plants grow faster.
● This evokes a sense of shared responsibility in everyone, right from young farming enthusiasts, and residents to professionals in this field.
● People learn to grow fresh produce on their own which is not only sustainable but will support local economies, reducing the baggage of imports.
5) Preserves Biodiversity - The hydroponic method does not involve land clearing, nor does it require plant monoculture. Which simply means that animals, birds and every living species are safe.
● Smaller space in plant growth promotes ecological balance.
● This also reduces agrobiodiversity.
With this, we come to know that hydroponics is sustainable. Since the pandemic pushed us back to our comfort zone - home - and disrupted many things, including the supply chain, something that was urgently needed was the inclusion of technology into the process to speed the entire process. Hydroponics is one of the best examples of it.
We have covered in our previous blog, more ways of urban farming, which you can read here.
https://verticalfarmingshow.com/smart-farming.html
