Have you heard of hydroponic farming? In some parts of Africa, this type of farming has become the future of growing vegetables and other farm produce without the interference of external factors. What does this mean? You don’t worry about bad weather, pests, or poor soil to farm.
Hydroponic farming puts farmers in control of the farming process. This system of farming makes for efficient and effective farming. Management of the PH and proper nutrient rationing is within the control of the farmers such that plants are neither starved nor overfed with nutrients and receive the right nutrients.
It is a closed system in which unused water from plants is recycled. The power to control light and temperature is in the hands of the farmer when he farms in-house. The farmer can make use of vertical spacing if he wants to increase the diversity of his crop mix.
With a Hydroponic system of farming, a farmer can grow crops in places where the soil is naturally not good for farming and where there are not enough spaces for farming.
When Hydroponic farming is put side by side with the conventional system of farming, we will see its advantages as follows:
– Use of water in Hydroponics is about 90% efficient.
– It conserves space and increases the quantity produced by between 3 to 10 times.
– If the system is properly managed most crops will be planted twice a year.
– It makes for a shorter period between when crops are harvested and consumed.
– Crops farmed with Hydroponics have high nutritional value.
– With the hydroponic system is a controlled system of farming so farmers can farm in places where the natural soil and weather conditions do not support farming.
– The system does not require chemical weeding or pest control.
Meanwhile, hydroponic farming has its rules. While it is tempting to plant everything in this type of farming, not all plants can make it.
In the real scene hydroponic system of farming does not make use of soil. This may sound strange to anyone hearing this for the first time. The word “Hydroponic” is an acronym from two Greek words, “Hydro” (water) and “Ponein” (toil).
The system works by planting crops in a mixture of compounds like vermiculite, rock wool, or clay pellets. Substances that will bring elements to the farm are avoided. The plants are fed with nutrient-enriched water.
There is a significant edge the Hydroponic system has over the conventional system of farming. The system controls and manages the farming environment, the water usage, the PH levels, and the right mixture and administration of nutrients make for better and faster growth of plants. The system makes for perfect control of air and soil temperatures as well as a guide against pests and diseases.
The hydroponic farming system results in a bountiful harvest and maximal utilization of resources. It is a system that discourages resource wastage like water and minimizes waste. It does not depend on pesticides, fertilizers, and other health-unfriendly farm inputs.
Through controlled farming systems experts in agricultural science and experts in advanced climate control technology can administer the right quantity of water, nutrients, and light on the plants. For instance, with sensors, they can ascertain the quantity of water and nutrients each plant requires.
With this system the farmers are armed with information as regards the quantity of water and nutrients the plants did not consume at the end of each growth stage. The ability of the farmers to properly time the process, and control the quality and quantity of the resource used on the plants, is a guarantee for a bountiful harvest.
Hydroponics farming systems and other technologies like precise irrigation systems enable CEA farmers significantly minimize water wastage. Compared to the conventional system of farming, the water consumption of the hydroponic system is 90% less. Only the required quantity of light is administered to the plants and the harvest is always at its maximum.
What do you think of this type of farming? Meanwhile, hydroponic farming is not cheap. It is capital intensive and requires training and experience. In order words, you cannot start this farming if you are not an expert or have little knowledge about the practice. The good news is that you can become self-sufficient with hydroponic farming.
