HYDROPONIC CHALLANGES

HYDROPONIC is a way to skip the soil and sub in a different material to support the roots of the plant, and grow crops directly in nutrient-rich water. There are multiple approaches to designing hydroponic systems, but the core elements are essentially the same. What we need include Fresh water, Oxygen, Root Support, Nutrient and Light. Hydroponics is much more predictable, independent of random events, and therefore also economically safer for the farmer himself. In the question of how many resources are used by hydroponics the are lots of variables. Hydroponics can be primarily a response to the growing problem of access to drinking water and unsustainable land management. Hydroponic crops take up much less space than traditional soil crops, especially when we consider vertical cultivations. Some people may that the commercial hydroponics consumes only 1/5 of the space needed to grow the same amount of plants on agricultural land. A potential advantage is also the reduction of fossil fuel consumption for plant transport - after all, hydroponic halls can be located wherever they are most needed, e.g. near urban centers. In this way, we significantly reduce emissions and costs (both environmental and economic) associated with transport over long distances. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology'' blog discussed about the hydroponic disadvantages fact and issues.

Hydroponics proven can also save a lot of water. The NFT technology can consume 70 to 90% less water compare to the traditional agriculture. In soil cultivation in which most of the water we supply to plants penetrates deep into the ground and ceases to be available to them. However for hydroponics, the roots are directly immersed in the water with nutrients and absorb exactly as much of it as they need. Water does not escape from the circulation and is reused. The saving in terms of space and water resources is so attractive in hydroponics that such a system has been implemented by NASA at the International Space Station and successfully practical. There are some disadvantages and advantages of soilless cultivation as the challanges for growers. Even though many said that hydroponics has a lot of advantages, but like any technology it faces some challenges as well. The closed water circuits may prove problematic in hydroponics. While the plants will be free from soil disease and insect infestation but it may harmful microbes that grow in water can be a serious threat. Water in this type of cultivation usually circulates the entire system and reaches every plant. However it is likely that if the pathogen is present in water and it will infect all plants. Hydroponics is not new for growing plants but the technology within it is more and more innovative. Establishing a new cultivation requires therefore its employees to acquire some specialized skills. Commercial hydroponic systems are mostly automatized. With this hydroponic application the vast majority of farming group practices are eliminated. Therefore than the labor demand in the plant growing process is significantly reduced (which can be seen as both disadvantage and advantage). The latest processes automatization also means costs associated with the supply of electricity (although some say that this problem can be easily dealt with by converting plant material into biofuel that drives the crop). The disadvantage of hydroponics is certainly their considerable initial cost (no doubt greater than in the case of traditional agriculture). For future this hydroponic technique of farming are seen to be more reliable. 

There are report saying that currently, about 3.5% of the world’s surface cultivated under tunnels and greenhouses for vegetable production is occupied by soilless farming techniques based on hydroponic solutions. The leaders inclu places at Netherlands, Australia, France, England, Israel, Canada and the USA. Although hydroponics could be most beneficial in extremely dry areas but with soil unsuitable for tilling, or in densely populated urban centers, the high construction cost usually disqualifies hydroponics for early implementation in developing countries. It was more practical to cultivate food locally so that the communities would not only have access to a year-round supply of healthy food but also security and confidence that their healthy food is grown more transparently. It would also significantly improve the quality and availability of drinking water. All the advantages and overcoming numerous adversities, hydroponics is slowly but successfully introduced in many other country in this world if applied properly. The subject of hydroponics technology as an opportunity for developing countries with limited access to water is also increasingly taken up by science. Normally such technology can be a valuable solution in countries needed. For me although hydroponic technology may never replace the existing conventional agriculture actually it able to breaks the food production paradigm. It is also a great opportunity to improve the condition of the environment and facilitate access to food wherever it is lacking. Hydroponic technology contribute the future of food availability. Thanks.

By,
M Anem,
Putrajaya,
Malaysia.
March 2021.