Rapid depletion of forests, growing food demand, unsustainable irrigation practices – these are a few of the many problems our agricultural systems face today. To fulfil the rising need for food, we must discover alternatives to our current agricultural system.  Many of the drawbacks of the agricultural issues that are currently plaguing our globe can be addressed with hydroponic gardening.

It is the practice of growing plants in nutrient-rich water with or without the mechanical support of an inert medium like sand, gravel, or perlite. In the recent times, the contamination of fruits and vegetables have been causing health hazards. In times when such foodborne outbreaks have become common, it is vital for us to explore other sustainable agricultural techniques which are safe both for us and the environment.

Proponents of hydroponic system believe that that this soilless technology common field microbial contaminants. Moreover, for regions with severe droughts and poor soil quality, such as sub-Saharan Africa where availability to leafy green vegetables is frequently constrained, hydroponic farming has the potential to supply fresh, regional cuisine.

Not only this, hydroponic farming is also the answer to the water problems of the future as it saves about 70-90% more water than soil.  However, this type of farming is has its own challenges. It labour intensive and required high level of expertise. If not taken care of daily, pests could be another considerable risk for the crops.

If these challenges are mitigated, hydroponic farming could transform the agricultural industry.