Soilless Farming: The Need of The Hour For The Environment
12 Apr'20
The volume of water that goes into irrigating conventional vegetable farms and fruit orchards is staggering
One of the biggest advantages of growing your own food is that you know what it containsHydroponic farming is especially important in times of crisis
When was the last time you thought how the bunch of kale now lying on the prepping counter came to the marketplace? Have you ever wondered how bell peppers are grown or transported from the farmers to the market?
The truth is – veggies and fruits have always been accessible to us. We don’t have to worry about how the farmer grows his vegetables, or who hauls them from the farm to the supermarket.
Why Should Hydroponics Be The Future Of Farming?
However, we are standing at a crucial point in time where we have to question how much fossil fuel goes into transporting the food we eat. How much carbon and water footprints are you contributing by consuming your protein smoothie? You might be trying to eat healthy and organic, but is your food also eco-friendly?
Water footprint: (and not carbon.) The volume of water that goes into irrigating conventional vegetable farms and fruit orchards is staggering. Many farmers still prefer chemical fertilizers and growth stimulants that flow into the water bodies nearby. It is a vicious cycle that you can stop right now!
Turn Your Terrace Or Balcony Into An Organic Farm
With soilless farming, the lack of gardening space or the lack of knowledge of farming will not be an issue at all. Hydroponic farming is just what the world needs today to counter the rising fuel prices, increases the cost of living and global warming.
When you can produce the food you are going to need, you can confidently say that you do not contribute to the additional consumption of fossil fuel that goes into transporting the food.
Today, some farms have adopted the soilless form of agriculture standardized by the People Adaptation to the Adverse Environment Initiative. Since hydroponic farming requires less space and fewer resources, farms can produce more without compromising the quality of the plants.
The water-based system can be completely automated, so the farmers don’t need to be present 24×7 to ensure the high-quality of their produce and to optimize the productivity.
Find The Missing Link Between Nutrition And Health
It is a sustainable form of farming since the limited use of resources does not compromise the quality of the plants. Hydroponically produced fruits and vegetables are not just safe for consumption, the surrounding environment is also safe for the residents (home farming) and the farmers (commercial farming).
One of the biggest advantages of growing your own food is that you know what it contains. When buying (lets mention something that we grow or can grow) lettuce or spinach from the market, you do not know if the farmer actually used the best grade of organic compost.ADVERTISEMENTHowever, at home, you can rear the plants with care and you know exactly what nutrients you have included in the substrate. Moreover, you will always be sure that there is 0% pesticide or herbicide in the food you serve to your loved ones.
Know Precisely What You Are Eating And Serving
Whether you choose to try hydroponic farming or shift to sourcing your food from a commercial hydroponic farm nearby, you will always be able to monitor and trace their growing process.
If you use a standard hydroponic agriculture DIY kit, or the farm uses a standardized method to grow their soilless plants inside an indoor controlled environment, you can always be sure about the quality of the food you eat and serve.
It is a form of “precision farming” where nothing in excess goes into the substrate. In fact, soilless farming demands purification of the water used for the farming process. The perfectly pH-balanced (5.5) water contains most of the nutrients necessary for a plant’s growth.
Hydroponic farming utilizes 95% less water than traditional farming. Now, isn’t that an additional reason to try soilless farming?
Save Fuel, Save The Environment
If you are thinking about setting up your own soilless farm, then your produce can go directly from the growth system to the tables. If you choose a nearby hydroponic farm, you will still contribute to saving the environment by limiting the water and carbon footprints involved in transporting the produce.
Sustainable agriculture focuses mainly on strategies that reduce dependence on non-renewable or environmentally harmful inputs. These include eco-agriculture, permaculture, organic, ecological, low-input, biodynamic, ecological, community-based, and comprehensive strategies. Soilless agriculture is, in form and in essence, an environmentally friendly- agriculture, sensitive to the environment and based on a community approach.
Apart from ensuring that you serve a healthy and completely organic meal to your family, you can enjoy a guilt-free meal that has contributed to zero or negligible carbon emission in terms of transport.
Why Is Hydroponic Farming Most Necessary Today, In Times Of Crises?
Due to the high supply of pure water at pH 5.5 and the close monitoring of the closed growth environment, the plants grow faster than in the typical agricultural farms. Their growth cycle is much shorter and you can expect a higher frequency of harvesting than traditional farming.
Hydroponic farming is especially important in times of crisis such as these. With the scare of COVID-19 infection and mass lockdowns, your home soilless growth system set up can continue to provide healthy and nutrient-rich food to you and your loved ones.
Note: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views held by Inc42, its creators or employees. Inc42 is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by guest bloggers.