Unleash Your Inner Farmer – Seeds of Success, Sprouting Everywhere…
Hydroponic farming has become the new rage world over. We at Good Food Concept believe in the Farm To Table Concept, where we sow our own seeds and reap the benefits. This produce being totally organic and adding, nothing but freshness to our food. This is what our clients will benefit from while ordering from GFC.
Back in the day, there was only mushroom cultivation. In the lockdown, people realised the need for getting healthy, green and clean vegetables without any pesticides or being contaminated. Maintaining hygiene during those days only made us realise the value of keeping regular health checks and that there is nothing more important than a clean supply of food items delivered to your door step. Most of which are grown hydroponically and packaged after being washed in individual packets.
Due to the perils of climate change in our eco system, we always knew about the deteriorating state of fossil fuels, clean air, water and other resources. Hydroponics is one way to maximise the use of resources by using skilled labour, availability of clean water, seeds, soil and our favourable weather conditions.
Owing to the demand of salad leaves, herbs and fresh veggies in every household, a lot of people took up to hydroponic farming. The word hydro is derived from the Greek word for water, and ponos meaning work. In Hydroponic gardening, the water does the work – the work of delivering nutrients to the plant roots. In order to grow, plants need water, sunlight and carbon-dioxide along with other nutrients.
Advantages of Hydroponic Farming:
The main advantages of using hydroponic farming is for conserving water and nutrients. No more usage of fertilizers, pesticides or chemicals that cause harm while eating that produce.
They can be grown anywhere as it requires very less space and most of all, it involves a soil free condition. Here the roots are submerged directly in nutrient-enriched water, or the plant is grown in a container filled with a soil free mixture of perlite, sand and coconut fibre. The container is then submerged / suspended above a water filled reservoir.
Hydroponic plants produce a greater yield of fruits and vegetables because in this system, plants are more densely spaced together compared to the size of land that would be needed to grow the same number of plants.Top of FormBottom of Form
The Problem with using Soil for Agriculture:
Plant problems and poor growth (whether turfgrass, shrubs, vegetables, fruits, or flowers) may be caused, in part, by one or more soil problems. Soil compaction, topsoil removal and erosion are three key soil problems.
Soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity. Soils supply the essential nutrients, water, oxygen and root support that our food-producing plants need to grow and flourish. They also serve as a buffer to protect delicate plant roots from drastic fluctuations in temperature.
A Shift Towards Sustainability
GFC believes in giving the best possible produce and ingredients to their clients. They also realise that healthy soils produce healthy crops that in turn nourish people and animals. Soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity. Soils supply the essential nutrients, water, oxygen, and root support that our food-producing plants need to grow and flourish. This is one of the main reasons, for them growing hydroponic plants in their backyard.
Growing herbs with the help of hydroponic farming
At GFC, we have started growing our own herb garden, which will allow us to grow fresh herbs all year round. Gone are the days where herbs and veggies were only seasonal. In addition to growing herbs, we have also started to grow a few veggies like lettuce, lollo rosso and microgreens.
Our Future Initiative towards Hydroponic Farming
GFC is committed to expanding its fresh produce. We plan to grow most of our salad leaves, herbs and a few vegetables in the near future.
- Basil, Parsley, Chives & Celery: Growing fresh herbs hydroponically give us more yields with a greater quality. These herbs are used widely in many dishes created by GFC. They are extremely flavourful and are of great importance in the catering industry.
- Lollo Rosso, Arugula & Lettuce: These leave are used in most of our salads and a few platters. Also used in a few dishes for sides. Extremely crunchy and packed with nutrients.
- Microgreens: Microgreens play a very vital role in the catering business too as this is used in many of our sandwiches as well as for garnish in quite a few dishes. Since they have a very short life span, its best consumed fresh.
Conclusion
We at GFC believe that every morsel / bite of food made by us, should be healthy and packed with flavours and nutrients. We also see a world where everyone should have access to healthy and locally grown fresh produce.
With an increasing population, rising food prices, and climatic changes, hydroponic farming is an essential part of India’s future food production. With the right knowledge, finances and policies, this technology can help India to ensure food security and sustainability.
Hydroponic farming is gradually becoming the solution to dealing with food chain supply disruptions thereby enhancing nutrition.