As the global demand for sustainable food increases and urbanisation becomes more pervasive, sustainable agricultural practices should become common worldwide. There's a strain on arable land, water, and other natural resources. These put increased pressure on global food systems to feed growing urban populations. Traditional farming methods won't be enough to meet people's needs.

Here's where hydroponic farming comes in – an innovative, soil-free method of growing plants that offers immense potential for cities. It can revolutionise urban food production by making it more efficient, accessible, and sustainable.

Rise of urban agriculture

As urbanisation accelerates, so does the demand for food in cities. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), urban agriculture can reduce the environmental impact, reduce transport emissions, promote healthier eating habits, and improve food security.

Once a niche, small-scale practice, urban farming is gaining traction as local communities and municipalities grapple with food security, equitable access to nutritious produce, and protecting the planet. Things need to change since the UN estimates that two-thirds of the world's population will live in urban areas in the coming years.

What constitutes urban agriculture? There's no one strict component. People can grow food on rooftops, in community gardens, and even windmills. In developed countries, small-scale urban farmers are seen as a counter to industrialised agriculture's excesses, like excessive use of fertilisers that pollute land and water and the high monetary and environmental costs of transporting food to urban areas. Here are some of the benefits if communities take up urban farming:

• Economic growth: Urban farming can stimulate the local economy and create jobs. Some studies have shown a clear correlation between urban farming initiatives and increased incomes.

• Food security and nutrition: Urban farms can provide access to healthy food options by producing fresh, locally grown produce. In the 1990s, Cuba's urban agriculture programme helped alleviate its food shortages.

• Community building: Urban farming initiatives are focal points for social inclusion and community building. They provide spaces for people to come together and share knowledge.

Hydroponics and the urban landscape

Urban hydroponic farming has become increasingly popular as urban farming takes off. Various commercial and speciality crops, like green leafy vegetables, cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, etc, can be grown using hydroponics. Take rooftop farming, for example. Several hydroponic systems are excellent choices.

• The wick system has four basic components - a grow tray, a wick, a reservoir, and an aeration system. The tray has a growing medium where seedlings are transplanted. The nutrient solution in the reservoir is under the tray. The wick connects the tray and the reservoir. It's beginner-friendly and ideal for herbs.

• The Deep Water Culture (DWC) system is similar to the wick system, but there's no soil-like medium. The plant root is submerged in a hydroponic bucket with the nutrient solution, and oxygen is pumped using an aeration system.

• A slightly more complex approach is the ebb and flow system. The plants are placed in a tray and flooded and drained using a pump submerged in the solution. A timer allows the flooding time to be adjusted, and the remaining water is recycled.

Space is often a luxury in an urban area. That's why hydroponic farming is an excellent approach in places like rooftops, abandoned buildings, or warehouses. By controlling environmental factors like humidity, temperature, and light, there's year-round production independent of seasonal and climatic variables.

The way to go

The beauty of hydroponics is its versatility, which is illustrated by the different approaches available. By utilising vertical space and optimising environmental factors like light, temperature, and nutrient levels, hydroponic systems can yield higher crop yields while minimising resources and wastage.

Hydroponics and urban agriculture represent a fundamental shift in how people produce food in densely populated cities. It's a viable solution to the challenges of limited space, environmental concerns, and resource scarcity. At Smart Grow Farms, we're in tune with how hydroponic farming in an urban landscape is the future.