Function:
Hydroponics is a way of growing crops by providing the necessary nutrients a plant needs to grow in a water solution. No medium like soil is needed. The here developed method is an enhanced version of the so called Kratky-Method. The only things needed are a container filled with the nutrient solution, and a piece of foam or strainer which holds the plant in place. No further equipment like pumps and hoses are needed.
Development State:
The Kratky system is now since a few seasons in monitored use. Until now Spinach, Pak Choi, Kangkung and Chilies are successfully grown.
A few enhancements and experiences are made. The idea is mainly ready to be applied into the field. The way how to apply it and where needs to be discussed.
Advantages:
– easiest way of growing leafy greens
– it is a water conserving method especially for arid areas (up to 90% water reduction compared to open land farms)
– makes farming of leafy greens possible in any season and area
– low cost for a reusable unit, easy to understand, easy to maintain, fast growing
– potential business model for producing the units and for growing small scale cash crops
– solution for people who don’t own land
– mobile. If someone needs to move he can move his farm too
– with vertical designs the crop yield per area can be increased
Disadvantages/Problems to be solved, Limitations:
– the Kratky method is limited on fast growing leafy greens, for other kind of crops it is different and more complicated systems are recommended
– the affordable nutrients are mainly synthetically produced. As all synthetic NPK fertilizers they contain salts which are used for the production of explosives. Therefore it needs to be double checked where the hydroponics will be applied.
– the mounting is not yet mastered. Until now only plastic rope is used to mount onto existing structures. Vertical approaches(A-frame structures) are not yet made.
– hydroponics is a solution but isn’t sustainable nor can it provide the range of nutrients as in soil grown crops
Vision of Impact:
Hydroponics is already the way how leafy crops are produced in industrial countries. It is realized in huge indoor farms, but it is also consuming a huge amount of energy for lighting, air conditioning and pumping, which cannot be declared sustainable.
The Kratky-method is slightly different but still not sustainable. No pumps, lighting or air conditioning are needed. Seeds and nutrients have to be purchased. Also if there is not a clean, close to PH-neutral source of water. This water needs to be generated or purchased. The PH makes all the nutrients in the water available to the plants, and the plant fast growing.
Anyway, the more if not most sustainable way of growing crops if there is no good soil and some water available, is aquaponics. In aquaponics the nutrients will be provided by the fish excrements, and depend on the kind of fish, the fish then can be fed with a sustainable source of food. This system is a bit more sophisticated and needs at least one pump and a bio-filter to make it safe for fish and plants. For this the wind-mill-pump would be a perfect match in a community development approach. The hydroponic system is just the step in between where everything is more easy and controllable.
For the case of there is suitable water available, the ongoing input costs are just a few cents and make the crop around 10 times cheaper than on the local market available. That is already a considerable value, and worth to give it a go.
My vision for that is to train someone to build and prepare the tubes and buckets. This someone should be a person who needs to be blessed with a job/income. Indonesia Aid as an Organization could then go and deliver the tubes to families/communities of need. It should be our job to find one or more persons who are able and want to take responsibility. These person or group gets an introduction/training by us, by putting the first tubes/buckets into action.
Then just consult and check a few weeks later. This also gives the opportunity to stay in contact.
