Related Research Literature

Challenges and solutions for sustainable food systems: The potential of home

hydroponic

Rui de Sousa, Luís Bragança, Manuela V da Silva and Rui S Oliveira 2024

The current global food system has its own problems which put at risk food security and

lead to environmental degradation. In the course of history, attempts to transform

agrifood systems have been successful albeit not completely, more so in the countries

that are less self-sufficient. This overarching review examines in relation to agrifood

systems, food insecurity and the environmental degradation driven by labor. However,

with an increase in population and urban diversity, a transformation in the ways food is

produced and also how it is processed, delivered, stored and ultimately consumed

becomes important. These changes have to be such that they preserve resources,

decrease waste and pollution as these are some of the issues that lead to the

destruction of ecosystems and global warming. Hydroponics provides a solution that is

both effective and sustainable in cities and can also serve as a supplement to existing

farming practices. Also, the research discusses the possibilities and problems of

advanced home hydroponic systems, especially how they can help tackle the issues of

food security and sustainability.

A review of hydroponics and conventional agriculture based on energy and water

consumption, environmental impact, and land use

Dimitra I Pomoni, Maria K Koukou, Michail Gr Vrachopoulos, Labros Vasiliadis

Energies 16 (4), 1690, 2023

This article examines and evaluates hydroponics – a method of growing crops without

soil in comparison to conventional agriculture from energy and water consumption,

environmental degradation and land occupation perspectives. Global food consumption

is on the rise while natural resources are finite and energy in turn is constrained. This

scenario calls for the adoption of different agricultural techniques. The comparison of

soilless agricultural methods to soil-based agricultural methods took into account factors

such as soil erosion, soil, crops contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, extent of

water utilization and energy consumption . The results from the tomato and cannabis

crops studies revealed advantages of hydroponics such as vertical farming practices,

minimizing water usage, conserving resources, and a healthier growing medium. On the

downside, however, hydroponic systems are associated with some limitations such as

high set up expenditure, skilled labour demand, and higher power requirements as

opposed to traditional agriculture.

Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems: The Potential of Home
Hydroponics. Sustainability 2024, 16, 817

Rd Sousa, L Bragança, MV Da Silva, RS Oliveira

This paper presents a critical evaluation of the existing global food systems which are

unable to sustain themselves and therefore threaten food security and the entire

ecosystem. While there have been attempts at transforming agrifood systems and

urbanizing them, certain issues still remain especially in countries that are less self-

sufficient. Among the key points in this review are the central environmental issues of

resource exploitation, pollution and loss of biodiversity, where a call for social equity and

effective food systems to support a growing population is made. Hydroponics is then

positioned as a more sustainable practice especially in towns whereby it can act as a

substitute for traditional farming. The research further examines the ways in which using

home hydroponics may foster food production with a particular focus on both the

environmental benefits and resource efficiency and waste minimization.

Sisodia, G.S.; Alshamsi, R.; Sergi, B.S. (2021). Business valuation strategy for new

hydroponic farm development: A proposal towards sustainable agriculture in the

UAE. British Food Journal, 123(4), 1560-1577.

This research investigates the feasibility of a hydroponics oriented farm in UAE using

the nutrient farm technique, taking into account the arid geography of the region and its

effect on sustainability and food security. Sisodia et al. (2021) point out that hydroponic

systems are a solution to the challenges of food security in the gulf region which is

equally supported by many government policies such as Khalifa funding. The study

uses net present value (NPV) assessment and real options analysis in which it looks at
five scenarios: business as usual, fifty percent subsidy on initial investment, a four

percent premium, subsidy plus premium and lastly solar panel installation with a bore

well. The results indicate a positive NPV in all evaluated scenarios but scenario 4 and 5

provides the best returns. The analysis presents a view that the intervention of the

government to subsidize the cost of setting the hydroponic farms and provision of solar

energy will make the hydroponic farms productive. Because of this domestic food

production, the carbon footprints associated with imports would be lower, people will be

more employed and fresh food will be available all the time therefore promoting

environmental and social sustainability in the UAE. The approach also addresses the

importance of training of appropriate manpower for the growth of such undertakings.

Building sustainable societies through vertical soilless farming: A cost-

effectiveness analysis on a small-scale non-greenhouse hydroponic system

Gumisiriza et al. (2022) explored the economic feasibility of vertical, non-circulating

hydroponic farming as a low-cost solution for urban food production in Africa,

specifically focusing on lettuce cultivation in Uganda. The study analyzed the system’s

cost-effectiveness using various capital budgeting techniques such as Net Present

Value (NPV), Profitability Index (PI), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Non-discounted

Payback Period (NDPBP). The results showed positive economic outcomes, with a NPV

of $16.37, IRR of 12.57%, and PI of 1.1 for six annual crop cycles, despite sensitivity to

discount rate and unit price changes. Gumisiriza et al. (2022) concluded that vertical

hydroponic farming is a cost-effective method with the potential to enhance food

security and sustainability in urban settings. However, further research is needed to

assess its profitability for other crops across different seasons and locations.
SUSTAINABILITY OF HYDROPONIC AGRICULTURE WITH IMPACT ON

TECHNOLOGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY: A SMART FARMING PRACTICE

Sujaya and others (2024) explored the application of hydroponic agriculture in an

environmentally friendly manner, especially paying attention to the technology and water

efficiency in the smart farming practices. The research investigates the dynamics of the

hydroponic systems which use a water medium to enhance the nutrients are soaked to

face the internal or external biological and environmental issues. In the view of Sujaya

et al. (2024), the hydroponics industry has been booming since the commencement of

2021 moving all the way to 2028 primarily thanks to the developments in technology.

These systems are beneficial in growing plants commercially, but also in conducting

experiments in plant biology, which is their main advantage. The study illustrates the

positive and eco-friendly development of hydroponics systems that enhances the

growth of plants and supports farming without degradation of the environment.

Implementing Hydroponic Systems: A Sustainable Approach to Agriculture

In order to capitalize on what is presented in the literature reviewed about hydroponic

farming and sustainable agriculture, a systematic way could be employed that centres

around system design, technology, resource, and potentially, the scope of practice.

Explain how this can be done:

The Appropriate Hydroponics System Should Be Selected

More information on this can be found in Sisodia et al. (2021) and Gumisiriza et al.

(2022) who elaborated on the significance of choosing an appropriate hydroponic

system. Depending on the geographical and resource allocation, systems such as

vertical non-circulating or nutrient film techniques (NFT) can become operational.

Where land and even water are scarce, space-saving systems such as vertical

hydroponics suit its users since it will be used almost everywhere, for example, in urban

areas or even deserts which require high yields.

Utilization of Governmental Assistance and Financial Rebate Programs

The author from Sisodia et al. (2021) points out one crucial aspect for enhancing the

operation risks resolution regarding hydroponic systems – government backing and

financial support that enables creating such systems in practice. Fund aviation in

hydroponic farming is made possible by, for example, Khalifa reproduction in the UAE.

Many countries provide grants and subsidies for establishing hydroponic systems, and

so these can be used to encourage the establishment in other countries. Meeting with

government representatives for the purpose of policy integration is a necessity.

The Addition of Modern Developments In Technology

Integrating technology into hydroponic vegetable farming is an ingredient that

contributes to the success of the venture. Smart farming such as automated nutrient
delivery systems, monitoring systems, and even renewable energy sources such as

solar panels can be adopted to enhance efficiency and sustainability of the hydroponic

system. One of which is sustainability by reducing the usage of energy and water.

Efficiency and Effectiveness of Hydroponic Systems for Sustainable Agriculture

Much of the existing literature on the use of hydroponic systems has also stated that

these systems present several advantages over the traditional farm practice in relation

to resources, production, and the environment. Here are some aquaponics systems

strengths:

Hydroponic System Efficiency

Water Efficiency

Hydroponic systems are the most water efficient way of growing plants because they

consume up to 90% less water than soil based agriculture (Sujaya et al., 2024).

Hydroponics systems, by nature, include the saving of water resource through

recirculation and replenishment of water. This is very helpful in areas that are dry or

have water scarcity, as shown in Sisodia et al. (2021). This further encourages the

sustainable growing of plants because it ensures that the optimum amount of water for

growth is administered to the plants thereby eliminating waste of water resources.

Nutrient Utilization

Hydroponic systems enable delivery of nutrients through the water directly to the roots

of the plants hence control of nutrients levels indefinitely without any waste. Even
fertilizer systems have less wastage during hydroponic gardening because nutrients are

not washed away in soil and waters as practiced in the normal farming. Nutrient delivery

systems making it possible to supply nutrients in specific amounts at required times

contribute to enhanced plant growth rates and minimize the chances of nutrients going

to waste (Sujaya et al., 2024).

Efficiency of Energy Principles with Technological Integration

The introduction of innovations, such as efficient automated monitoring systems, and

incorporation of alternative energy sources such as solar panels, promote energy

efficiency. As stated by Sisodia et al. (2021) the costs incurred in the operation of

hydroponic integrated systems where solar energy is included is likely to be lower. The

only problems in relation to energy usage is that it is quite expensive in the beginning

stages usually caused by the setting up of new hydroponic systems. Relative to this,

however, as most of the operations are computerized and renewable power is available

energy consumption is considerably low.

Effectiveness of Hydroponic Systems

Increased Crop Production

The usage of hydroponic systems is More productive than Growing on soil owing to the

Reasonable Cultivation conditions, Adequate Nutritional Setup, and All Year round

Growing Season (Gumisiriza et al., 2022). Hydroponics is more efficient in utilizing

resources as uniformity in growth is achieved within a controllable environment where

external elements such as soil conditions and climatic fluctuations, which often inhibit

growth, are managed.

Flexibility in Differing Temperatures

Hydroponics, in general, is flexible, which allows it to be practiced in various climates

such as deserts (Sisodia et al., 2021) and in cities (Gumisiriza et al., 2022). This

creativity promotes food production where growing any crops through conventional

methods is highly impractical thereby improving food availability in harsh conditions.

Negative Environmental Impact

Hydroponics reduces the adverse environmental effects that are often associated with

normal farming. It eliminates the need of a land enhancing practices, chemical leaching

to the food system and the emission of gases that contribute to global warming (Sujaya

et al., 2024). Such practices with minimize health impact on the surrounding and are

beneficial in the fight of global warming since they aid the organic production of

food.Land resource use Efficiency

Vertical Growing Hydroponic systems allows for higher crops grown per square foot as

space is maximized which is beneficial to the urban areas that have limited land for

farming (Gumisiriza et al., 2022). This makes it possible for agriculture to be done even

within cities, on rooftops or small indoor sections, thereby reducing the reliance on vast

expanses of land with the aim of increasing local food production.

Economic Viability and Profitability

In turn, despite higher initial investment costs, hydroponic systems have been shown to

be economically feasible in the long run because of minimal resource use, low operation

costs, and great profit resulting from shortened production cycles (Sisodia et al., 2021).

The cost-effectiveness discussed by Gumisiriza et al. (2022) also reinforces the

argument that hydroponics can be profitably expanded, especially in cities with urban

food recession.

Recommendations

There is ample evidence in the literature that supports the use of hydroponics systems

for their: efficiency; performance. Hydroponics conserves water and plant inputs

effectively, optimizes land availability and utilizes affordable technologies which cut

down operational costs as well as waste. In regard to efficiency, those are quite flexible

systems, ensuring high quality and quantities of production and supporting

environmental protection goals by minimizing the pollution of biosphere resources.

Properly set up hydroponic systems can effectively and reliably solve the increase in

food production and the challenges of environmental protection.

Synthesis of Related Research Literature

Various research studies regarding hydroponics have shown that this technology can

overcome global hurdles related ot food security as well as ecologcial sustainability.

Sisodia et al. (2021) highlight how hydroponic farms can be operational in dry

environments such as UAE and they show that governmental assistance coupled with
renewable energy can enhance food security while reducing the adverse effects on the

environment. Therefore, these results imply that hydroponic systems are applicable for

use in areas that have very little agricultural land suitable for cultivation where local food

production is highly important to curtail further emissions and increase food

sustainability.

Likewise, in Africa, Gumisiriza et al. (2022) examined whether there are any cost

implications for urban vertical hydroponic farming especially the growing of crops

hydroponically. The research found that growing lettuce with a non-circulating system

was financially viable and thus hydroponics for urban agriculture as agrowing system is

consolidated. Both studies highlight the potential of vertical farming to tackle the food

insecurity challenge experienced in many urban regions while enhancing their

environmental sustainability.

Sujaya et al. (2024) emphasize innovations in hydroponic systems and their acceptance

as water-saving agriculture. This reinforces the proposition that hydroponic systems

belong to smart farming systems that have a high potential for sustainability. Their study

clarifies how useful hydroponics is for providing optimum conditions for plant growth

while minimizing water usage which makes it more beneficial in dry and arid regions.

At the same, Sousa et al. (2024) review provides an additional viewpoint on the

allotropic use of hydroponics that can be used aside from traditional farming and more

so in cities. They point out the need to embrace challenges of new agriculture practices

such as hydroponics.