Is hydroponic farming the way of the future?
Are you looking for farming jobs? Why not consider a career in hydroponics? From using less water to earlier harvesting, there are plenty of advantages to using these techniques. Read our blog to discover what hydroponic farming is all about then look for farm jobs on Job Mail.
1. Why is farming so important for the country
Food security is important and farming plays a vital role in the wellbeing of South Africa. The agriculture industry provides food for South Africans, contributes to the economy, and provides farming jobs. Hydroponics enables people to grow their own food in their backyard, even if they are staying in an urban environment.
2. What is hydroponic farming?
Hydroponic farming involves growing crops without soil. This technique was developed after botanists found out that plants absorb nutrients from the water taken from the soil close to the roots. The soil is used to store the nutrients as well as to strengthen the plant. If the plants are secure and the water already contains organic material, crops can grow without soil.
3. How does it actually work?
Hydroponic systems are typically made up of structures, such as towers and trays. The system needs to supply the plants with water, nutrients, and oxygen. You can even build your own system, which will allow you to learn new skills. You’ll also then be able to customise the system to meet your needs and the requirements of the plants you’re growing.
There are two main techniques used in hydroponic farming. One involves the use of solution culture and the other uses medium culture. If medium culture is used, sand, coconut chips, clay stones, gravel or perlite are added to the system. Alternatively, it’s also possible to eliminate any solid materials and use a nutrient solution on its own. For small projects, it’s possible to supply the plants with nutrients and water manually. However, if you find hydroponic farming jobs, it’s likely that you will be working on larger scale operations, which means that you’ll need to be able to use pumps to provide the plants with nutrients. You can buy formulas with all the nutrients that your plants need to help simplify the process and increase your chances of success.
4. Advantages of hydroponic farming
Hydroponics has gained popularity because people are concerned about the pesticides that are used on large farms. When plants are grown using this technique, there is no need for pesticides. Hydroponic farming offers the benefits of consistent production rates as the crops are grown in a controlled environment. Crops can be grown all year round regardless of the season. If you’re looking for farming jobs, you can advance your capabilities by growing crops in your own backyard using hydroponic techniques. You don’t need large sections of land to grow plants hydroponically, which means that you can even practice farming in an urban environment. Adding to your skill set and knowledge will increase your chances of finding farm jobs.
Hydroponic farming uses less water than traditional methods because the water is reused. These techniques also encourage faster plant growth for earlier harvesting. As there is no need to use soil, the risk of soil-borne diseases is eliminated. Hydroponics require fewer nutrients, which reduces costs and is also better for the environment. Fertiliser pollutes the environment and the oceans in traditional farming, however, with hydroponic techniques, fewer nutrients are used and any excess nutrient matter is well contained.
Now that you know more about hydroponics, you can search for farming jobs online. Whether you want to work on traditional farms or use hydroponics, it’s advantageous to know what your options in the agricultural industry are.
