The most basic necessity of life is food. With noticeable Climatic changes/global warming, shooting up population and problems like soil health degradation. It is possible that in the future we may not have enough food resources to feed the Human race.
However, prevention is better than cure & humanity is ready with tools of science to deal with this trouble.
"VERTICAL FARMING " is one such tool.
Vertical farming is a technique where plants are grown in vertical layers using controlled environmental conditions. Some exceptional ways to grow plants in Vertical farming even if you don’t own land are hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics. #innovation #verticalfarming #verticalfarmingmeaning #verticalfarmingtechnology #verticalfarmingadvantages #verticalfarmingcompaniesinindia #verticalfarmingbusiness
Context
Techniques of vertical farming
1. Aquaponics -Steps to build at home
2. Hydroponics- Steps to build at home
3. Aeroponics - Steps to build at home
Area Selection
Why is it better than land soil farming
Disadvantages
Conclusion
Techniques of VERTICAL FARMING :-
1) HYDROPONICS
In this technique, water replaces the soil. The water is mixed with the essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulfur required by the plants. Gravel, sand, and sawdust are used additionally to anchor the roots. Here energy is required to pump the liquid to the root zones of the plant in vertical layers and also in the LED for illumination.
You can buy or order setup of hydroponics visit
Or, you can set up your own hydroponic DWC system at home just by following the given steps.
STEP1:- SET UP A GROW BED
You may choose any container or tube. Fill it with water.
STEP 2:- ADD NUTRIENTS TO THE WATER
Since nutrient-rich soil is absent, we need to provide nutrients externally. Add the nutrients to the water carefully measuring the amount suitable for your plant.
STEP 3:- PREPARE THE LID
You need to cover the grow bed with a lid. The lid should have holes to provide space to submerge the roots of plants in nutrient-rich water.
STEP4:- PLANT YOUR PLANTS
After the whole setup is complete you can plant the plants in it.
And your own homemade hydroponic system is ready. Enjoy seeing your plant grow. #ilovehydroponics
2) AQUAPONICS
It is one step ahead of hydroponics. This technique is the modification of aquaculture and hydroponics. The wastewater of the fish tanks is used for growing plants. The water is full of nutrients like ammonia and phosphorus.
The water from the fish tanks is passed through solid filters and then through bio-filters where the toxic ammonia is converted to nitrate. The water is also rich in carbon dioxide due to the respiration of fishes. This also helps in keeping the nights warm due to the heat absorption ability of carbon dioxide.
you can contact companies to set up a aquaponic system in your yard
visit :
OR
You can set up your aquaponic system at home following the given steps:-
STEP 1:- TAKE A FISH TANK
For aquaponics, you require wastewater from fish tanks that you can easily get by setting up your own fish tank or aquarium. You can fill the tank with fishes like goldfish, pacu, koi, and catfish.
STEP 2:- PREPARE A MEDIA BED
Take any container and fill it with clay pebbles. Clay is PH neutral and will not affect the water. It absorbs the water and retains it longer for plants. It also hosts nitrifying bacteria.
STEP 3:- CONNECT FISH TANK AND MEDIA BED WITH WATER PUMP
With the help of a pump, you can easily circulate the water in the system.
STEP 4:- Plant the plants in the medium bed. Leafy plants are best for this technique.
3) AEROPONICS
In this technique plants are grown in empty space without any particular medium. Plants are generally hung in the air. A liquid composed of essential nutrients required by plants is misted all over the air.
The liquid reaches the plant without any difficulty with the help of gravity, so no energy is required to pump the liquid.
You can set up your own aeroponic system at home following these simple steps:-
STEP 1:- CONSTRUCT STRUCTURE FOR HANGING PLANTS.
Aeroponic systems don't require any medium to replace soil for plant growth. Plants are suspended in the air with the help of supporting structures. These structures can be built using pipes or any other suitable technique.
STEP 2:- PREPARE A SPRAY MEDIUM
Add nutrients such as nitrates, sulfur to the water. This medium will help in plant nourishment
STEP 3:- SPRAYING NOZZLES.
Spraying nozzles help in spraying the medium to the plant roots hanging in the air.
Your Aeroponic system is ready.
AREA SELECTION
Vertical farming can be done in abandoned buildings, shipping containers, or artificially constructed infrastructures. The area used in vertical farming is comparatively less than traditional farming. And this technique will be extremely beneficial in the future due to the day-by-day Segmentation of land.
WHY IS IT BETTER THAN LAND SOIL FARMING?
A limited area, greater production Since vertical farming is practiced in vertical layers in place of horizontal fields, the same amount of land can harvest 10 times more compared to traditional farming.
Toxic-free harvest free harvest
Vertical farming is done in an enclosed area with everything being monitored. There is no requirement of using chemicals for pests or weeds.
Due to controlled weather conditions, there is no chance of crop failures.
Eco Friendly
Traditional farming requires more area and thus people clear forests for more land. But in vertical farming, we can grow any type of crop without harming the local flora and fauna.
Reduced crop competition
DISADVANTAGES OF VERTICAL FARMING
It is expensive to start the project.
Vertical farming requires energy.
It requires farmers with scientific knowledge about farming. #farming
CONCLUSION
Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. More than half of its population is engaged in agriculture. And with an inclining population and declining land area per person, vertical farming can prove to be a greatest benefactor.
Vertical farming can increase productivity, there is less chance of crop failure due to climatic factors such as drought, hailstorm, flooding, fires, locusts) (one of the main reasons for indebtedness on farmers & low returns) it can provide a healthy harvest due to the least use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides.
Very Informative⭐️