Should Hydroponic Production be Eliminated "Organic" Consideration?
Hydroponic cultivation is considered to be an important technology in the future production of some specialty crops in urban centers. The concept is simple. Indoor farms offer the capacity to grow high-value specialty crops in confined, climate controlled space. They repurpose poorly-used city space, and hire skilled and unskilled workers in population centers. Most of all, these operations limit the carbon footprint of specialty crop production, which now does not need long-distance transportation. In some cases the plant products can ease the deficiencies associated with fresh fruit and vegetable scarcity in urban food deserts, areas under-served by large produce retailers. Dr. Wan Feng describes the effects of bioponic organic fertilizers on lettuce production in a hydroponic system. While no synthetic chemicals are used, it may not be sold as "organic". Photo from ICCEA Panama, May 17, 2017. In many cases producers are able to grow crops without pestic