In Madrid, experiments with new hydroculture systems are underway, according to a press release by local government. The new systems (sometimes called hydroponic-culture or hydro-culture, used in the cultivation of plants without the use of soil) are said to increase production by 20%. Ana Isabel Marino, Minister of Environment, visited the farm in Arganda where the research is being conducted. The center, known as ‘La Isla’, is designed for scientific advance in the field of crop cultivation. Innovations in hydroculture have been developed here since 2000.
The benefits of cultivation without soil are obvious: less water and fertilizers are needed. Also, it allows for the growing of crops in areas that lack suitable soil.
“Innovation is of vital importance in this sector,” says Marino, “not just in relation to profit and sustainability, but also when it comes to saving water for irrigation.” She stresses, however, that hydroculture will not replace traditional growing methods, but enhances successful agriculture in general.
Increased productivity.
Basically, cultivation of crops like tomato, paprika, melon, strawberry and certain kinds of flowers becomes more expensive with the aid of hydroculture, mostly due to high investment costs. However, soil-related problems are absent, its production process is labour friendly and requires an advance in technical development.
And most of all, preliminary studies show that production increases by 20% compared to traditional systems.
Regional government, who is funding the project, is basing its policy on two pillars: enhancing quality, and boosting production in an industry providing jobs for 26,000 people. Agriculture and the food industry in general represent 1% of Madrid’s GDP.
In 2012, over 2.8 million Euro is spent on modernising farms and ranches in the area. Since 2007, the government has invested a total of 14.2 million Euro on innovating the agricultural sector.
Source: Ecoticias
The benefits of cultivation without soil are obvious: less water and fertilizers are needed. Also, it allows for the growing of crops in areas that lack suitable soil.
“Innovation is of vital importance in this sector,” says Marino, “not just in relation to profit and sustainability, but also when it comes to saving water for irrigation.” She stresses, however, that hydroculture will not replace traditional growing methods, but enhances successful agriculture in general.
Increased productivity.
Basically, cultivation of crops like tomato, paprika, melon, strawberry and certain kinds of flowers becomes more expensive with the aid of hydroculture, mostly due to high investment costs. However, soil-related problems are absent, its production process is labour friendly and requires an advance in technical development.
And most of all, preliminary studies show that production increases by 20% compared to traditional systems.
Regional government, who is funding the project, is basing its policy on two pillars: enhancing quality, and boosting production in an industry providing jobs for 26,000 people. Agriculture and the food industry in general represent 1% of Madrid’s GDP.
In 2012, over 2.8 million Euro is spent on modernising farms and ranches in the area. Since 2007, the government has invested a total of 14.2 million Euro on innovating the agricultural sector.
Source: Ecoticias