The Next Evolution of Farming: Hydroponic Vertical Farming

There are many exciting technologies taking hold of the world of agriculture today. This is especially important since it is fairly clear that food production can’t continue indefinitely as is. But in order to understand the future, it is vital to examine the past and the present. 

What is Irrigation Agriculture?

Simply put, irrigation agriculture is farming that relies on man-made water sources rather than gathering water only from rainfall and the natural water table. In the US this is usually handled by large irrigators that spray the water from above. In other parts of the world such as China and India, it’s often handled by hand-dug irrigation channels. 

The History of Irrigation Agriculture

Today, irrigation is so commonplace that we hardly think of it as being technology. In truth, the practice has been in use for thousands of years, with the earliest forms dating back to about 6000 BC in Egypt and Mesopotamia. At this time, farmers would divert the floodwaters of the Nile into their fields to irrigate thirsty crops. 

Fast forward 2,000 years and terrace irrigation began to gain popularity. This method has been found prominently in China, India, and South America. In mountainous or sloping regions, people carved enormous steps into the landscape, supported by retaining walls. This prevented topsoil erosion and created flat spaces for farming. Water was then transported down the steps from high altitude springs, lakes, and other natural sources.

Around 300 BC a new irrigation system began to emerge in the South Asian country of Sri Lanka. Under the leadership of King Pandukabhaya, complex irrigation systems consisting of underground canals and tanks were called wewas. This tank cascade system was groundbreaking at its time and continued its development for the next thousand years. One of these tanks, named Parakrama samudraya, is still in use today.

There are many other forms of irrigation technology that have been used throughout the centuries, and probably quite a few that have been lost to our knowledge. Acequias in the American Southwest, a massive dike in ancient China, Roman aqueducts, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are some of the most well-known examples.

Today’s Challenges

In the U.S. today, roughly 80% of our water resources are used for irrigation. In the dryer climates of the western states, the number is over 90%. In an age of climate change, with water systems being taxed beyond comfort zones, this is a dangerous overuse. 

The story is even more worrisome in other countries. Throughout much of the world, wastewater is used for irrigation. This leads to harmful pathogens such as parasites and bacteria being introduced into the food supply, putting millions of people at risk. 

Two other very real dangers associated with irrigation are waterlogging and salinization. Soil becomes waterlogged when it becomes oversaturated. This can cause damage to plant roots, eventually leading to plant death. Salinization occurs when soil becomes saltier than it should be, typically because its water has been drawn away for irrigation elsewhere. The high salt area can eventually become barren because plants are unable to access what water remains in the soil.

Finally, pollution due to irrigation runoff can be a serious problem in the areas near commercial farming operations. Chemical pesticides and fertilizers are carried away from crops and into the local water supply, leading to health risks and posing a threat to natural waterways and the local environment.

The Future: Hydroponic Vertical Farming

Clearly, we can’t simply abandon agriculture. So the challenge becomes how to feed the growing population without causing further damage to the environment or its people. Hydroponic Vertical Farming offers a solution that is both sustainable and efficient.

In a hydroponic vertical farm, plants are grown in water with no soil present. They are stacked vertically in towers or trays, arranged within a structure such as a greenhouse or other building. Because the growing happens indoors, factors such as climate and weather have no bearing on crops. This means healthy crops such as leafy greens can be grown year-round in any part of the world, regardless of the conditions outside. 

It might seem that a system that runs entirely on water, with no soil to contain it, would use more of our precious water supply than traditional farming, but the opposite is true. In the hydroponic farms developed by Eden Green Technology, we use 98% less water than traditional farming methods. This is because the water used is recycled through the system again and again, with no waste due to runoff or evaporation. 

This solution also solves a number of other problems, including the depletion of topsoil, crop contamination, and the use of fossil fuels to transport crops around the world to regions where they are not currently in season or otherwise available. In fact, hydroponic greenhouses may just be the perfect solution to a great number of agricultural problems facing our world today. 

Want to learn more about how to start your own hydroponic vertical farm? Contact Eden Green Technology today.