What You Should Know About Soilless Farming (Part 2)

What are the advantages of soilless farming?

The advancement of technology has made the agricultural industry effective and efficient to operate. The advantages of soilless farming have provided a tremendous opportunity to achieve the same levels of crop yields. Some of the most important advantages of soilless farming over land-based farming include:

1. Lowered environmental impact as controlled agriculture is less resource-intensive
2. Reduction in water consumption due to the closed-loop nature of hydroponics growing
3. Agricultural produce grown under hydroponics system have better quality and nutritional value hence contributes to improved health of consumers. 
4. A lowered concern of chemical, pesticides, and GMO produce
5. Ability to scale the agricultural operation to any size of the facility, making it deals for practicing urban agriculture
6. It is easy to harvest mature plants
7. Space maximization is efficient through the use of vertical growing techniques
8. For aquaponics systems, apart from abundant food production, high energy efficiency, water conservation, and reduced costs, there is increased income from plants and fish

It is noteworthy to know that the adoption and investment in soilless farming plays a major role in ensuring that the SDGs which are to end poverty and hunger by 2030 can be achieved especially in Nigeria and other developing countries. The goals such as Goal 1- No Poverty, Goal 2- Zero Hunger, Goal 8- Decent Work and Economic growth, Goal 15- Life on land; shows the importance of promoting sustainable agriculture which can better enhance livelihood especially in the age of technological advancement.

Soilless farming is a sustainable way for our youth especially in populated urban areas with interest in the sector to explore because it has proved to be less rigorous, more efficient, high yielding, and supports non-seasonal food production- through the inclusion of technology and artificial intelligence. This will no doubt create more interest among youth in farming as well as be helpful in the actualization of SDGs Goal 1, 2, 8, 9, and 12.

What is the disadvantage of soilless farming?

1. Expensive to set up
2. Vulnerable to power outage
3. Requires constant monitoring and maintenance
4. Problems can affect all the plants quicker
5. It requires technical expertise

Despite the disadvantages, should you try soilless farming at home? If you want to start eating healthy plants without going to the market, why not?

Soilless farming is a great way to try growing healthy plants at home without the use of soil. Some of the plants you can lay your hands on with soilless farming includes:

1. Tomatoes
2. Lettuce
3. Cucumber
4. Spring Onions
5. Peppers
6. Spinach
7. Strawberries
8. Blueberries
9. Basil
10. Coriander

It might interest you to know that various dignitaries, humanitarians, and institutions are working in a bid to design more efficient soilless systems. The rapidly growing world population and limited earth's resources continue to make these systems attractive to many people. Soilless farming systems are quite rightly tipped to be the farms and gardens of the future.

Author:  Olayinka Modede

Graphics: Timileyin Oladayo

© Food and Agricultural Technology Unit -PARG 2021. 

Edition 1, Volume 2, Article 1