Countries facing wars, insecurity, and natural disasters often disrupt fertile land and agricultural practices. Conventional farming becomes unworkable or unsustainable due to ruined infrastructure, lack of access to water, or even hazardous environments. In contrast, hydroponic farming has become a rather workable way of cultivating food in the most challenging conditions. It is a very space-saving and resource-conserving form of agriculture; it thus can also be set up indoors or in secure areas, making this technique an ideal alternative for crisis countries.
As the International Journal of Information and Education Technology indicates, many countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan have already applied hydroponics commercially. In Thailand, it is still more familiar with its application for vegetables on a high-class level because of its relatively higher cost of cultivation.
How hydroponic farming can help solve food shortages and offer agricultural stability
The following steps highlight how.
1. Why Hydroponics Works in Insecure Environments
With hydroponics, crops can grow without needing any soil, a process that relies less on large tracts of land that could be inaccessible or dangerous in war zones. Besides, hydroponic systems are designed to be built within urban settings, indoors, or in more fortified locations such as warehouses and bunkers, thus minimising risks for farmers and families keeping food production going.
Key advantages include:
- Minimal space requirements: The setup can be done in small areas, on rooftops, or inside secured buildings.
- Water efficiency: Hydroponic systems use 80-90% less water compared to traditional farming, which is vital in areas with low water access or damaged infrastructure.
- Continuous crop production: It enables farming throughout the year and ensures a steady supply of food during unplanned weather conditions.
2. Choosing the Right Type of Hydroponic System for the Conflict Area
When it comes to choosing a hydroponic system for insecure regions, simplicity and ease of operation are of essence. Systems that can do with minimal power and maintenance are preferred; such are easily set up and maintained with less resource inputs. Some appropriate systems are as follows:
- Deep Water Culture: This is a very simple solution wherein the plants simply hang suspended in a water solution. It is ideal for low-technology setups.
- Wicking System: It requires no electricity. Plants absorb nutrients through a wick system. Thus, it is effective in areas where electricity cannot be provided on time.
- Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): The continuous supply of the thin film of nutrients over the roots. It can be set up on small indoor shelves or safe zones.
For countries where there is war and stress, the Wicking System and DWC are one of the best options because they require very minimal resources and can easily adapt to that situation.
3. Crop Selection for Quick, Nutrient-Dense Crops
Planting crops under insecure conditions calls for a close focus on high-growth crops while at the same time extracting proper nutrition from them. The types of plants to grow with hydroponics include virtually any variety. However, some types of crops are more suited for these conditions than others:
- Leafy greens: Spinach, Lettuce, and Kale are all fast-growing, rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
- Herbs: Basil, cilantro, and mint are relatively easy to grow and take up very little space.
- Microgreens: These young plants are nutrient-dense and grow in as little as 10 days.
- Strawberries: You will be able to optimise even very limited space in vertical setups and yield from plant to harvest in as little as 60-90 days.
- Tomatoes: Dwarf or cherry tomato plants will produce faster yields even with artificial lighting. For the smaller varieties, such as cherry tomatoes, this is usually 50-70 days, while larger ones take anywhere between 70-85 days.
- Cucumbers: Dwarf varieties are quick to mature at around 50-70 days and perform well in vertical or hydroponic systems.
- Smaller melons: Varieties include cantaloupes and honeydew, with maturity dates from 70-90 days, making them great candidates for control environments with limited space.
- Dwarf raspberries: Compact plants yield sweet fruits in about 70-90 days and serve the best purpose in indoor or hydroponic set-ups where space is available only on a limited scale.
Quick-growth crops are highly critical for populations depending on immediate food aid, as they will ensure a stable food supply with no time to be wasted.
4. Establishment of a Safe Hydroponic System Safety and Mobility
Materials that are available locally can be used to build hydroponic systems, or simple kits can be constructed. Here’s how to establish a basic system:
- Frame: Get a small portable frame that will hold the plants and nutrient solution. It is easily possible to make mobile systems in high-risk areas, thus enabling their quick relocation when circumstances may demand so.
- Reservoir: Employ lightweight and tough containers that are easy to move. These shall be used to hold the nutrient solution.
- Lighting: This will involve growing lights powered by batteries or sun power across areas or even bunkers devoid of sunlight for the indoor or bunker plants.
- Pump and Aeration: The circulation of nutrient solution can be achieved by using solar-powered or manually-powered pumps, or a non-electrical system such as wicking.
During peacetime in regions that experience conflict, it is useful to have solar energy powering pumps or lights to minimise dependence on electrical power one might not be certain of.
5. Water and Nutrient Management in Resource-Scarce Scenarios
During war, in some countries, minimal water and nutrient supplies are available, but hydroponics in these situations can reduce these:
- Water Conservation: Hydroponic farming systems are recirculating, making use of up to 90% less water compared to traditional farming methods. In fact, this becomes important in areas where the sources of water have been disrupted or polluted.
- Nutrient Solutions: Simple and pre-mixed nutrient solutions can be imported or created locally by using basic minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The use of hydroponics further minimizes fertilizers and pesticides. Therefore, it remains an economical and safe way of crop production among the community.
Monitor the water level and nutrient balance on a regular basis to ensure proper crop growth.
6. System Maintenance under Unstable Conditions
Hydroponic systems in disaster and war zones also need to consider many disruptions, including but not limited to: power loss, supply chains being cut, and forced relocations of people. Here are some ways you can maintain your system:
- Supply Building: Store extra nutrients and water, and replacement parts for the system, in safe locations.
- Not so demanding plants: Chose plants that are hardy and require little time, such as those that can exist if you sometimes forget to tend to them or don’t nurture it at all.
- Protecting the setup from the elements: Place these systems in very secure locations like basements, underground shelters, or bunkers since there is no uncertainty in such conditions as to the weather or invasion issues. This will ensure that your system survives in as many unforeseen circumstances as possible.
7. Crop Harvest and Distribution
In insecure and disaster areas, efficient harvesting and distribution will go a long way in ascertaining that the food reaches the needy. Hydroponic crops usually take less time to grow, but communities can have consistent yields that provide relief at times of scarcity.
- Harvest more frequently: Fast-growing crops like leafy greens may be harvested on a weekly basis, hence assuring one of a steady supply of fresh food.
- Buy locally: Produce and distribute produce at the community level; thus, it avoids many of the risks and transportation costs associated with conflict zones.
Growing food at the local level helps the communities to minimise reliance on imported food aid and makes them more resilient in case of distortions within the food supply chain.
Hydroponic farming is among several potential solutions facing countries torn apart by war, disasters, and insecurity. It saves space, conserves resources, and can be established in safety. For communities seeking to restart and sustain food production during difficult conditions, hydroponic farming tools are of prime importance. The adoption of hydroponics goes a long way toward food security and self-reliance.
Reference:
Kunyanuth K. (2019). An Automated Hydroponics System Based on Mobile Application. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, Vol. 9, No. 8.
