Every day, the agriculture sector is challenged to produce more food while using fewer resources. Many environmental advocates, agricultural researchers and farmers see intensive food production systems that harness the power of water, such as hydroponics and aquaponics, as alternative ways of producing food.
Hydroponics offers a higher calorie and nutrient yield per growing area, and this is one of the reasons the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations supports the implementation of this system in regions where there are food shortages.
Hydroponics is ideal for the intensive production of fresh produce, and enables crops to be grown without soil, using nutrient-fortified water instead. The plants’ roots are either exposed to the water, or physically supported by an inert medium such as perlite, gravel, coconut coir, or vermiculite. Since the plants are provided with optimal growing conditions, they can develop at a faster rate than those produced under traditional outdoor conditions or conventional methods.
South African vegetable, microgreens and flower producers have realised the potential that a hydroponics system holds, especially in terms of the quality of produce, the fast turnaround time, and the efficient use of water.
Intensive hydroponics systems are highly controlled and data-driven, and are often fully automated. Hydroponics also allows for more elementary systems to be set up in small spaces, enabling small-scale producers to grow food in and out of the traditional seasons in a climate-controlled greenhouse or tunnel.
With soil-grown crops, various factors can influence and hinder production; these include soil quality, water availability, water and soil pH, light, air, temperature, soil micro-organisms, and weather conditions.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
