Technology in agriculture

THE FOOD that we eat to sustain ourselves since mankind’s advent on the planet Earth has undergone some very serious changes. Whether it’s in agriculture or fish production this process is now indispensably linked to advanced technologies throughout the agri-food business from the farm to our table.

Farmers and related industries of wholesalers, retailers, processors in today’s world utilise modern equipment and systems such as computers to work in their fields, greenhouses, nurseries, fish operations, fishing boats, processing plants and retail food stores.

Advanced technology has resulted in dramatically improved turnaround time of certain products from the research lab to our tables. Biotechnology, as a case in point, has resulted in more exact methods for breeding better livestock and crop varieties that are more resistant to diseases and pests, produce better quality and attractive-looking products, and improve feed, fertilisers and disease vaccines.

Emphasis is now placed on the following technological mechanisms to enhance agricultural production.

GREENHOUSES

Greenhouses which are framed structures enclosed on all sides by acrylic or glass panels and includes a transparent roof which allows for maximum light and traps warmth. For plants that require partial sun, shade netting or other forms of cover can be erected inside the greenhouses.

Greenhouses can be freestanding or attached to a house or shed in a lean-to fashion. There are mini greenhouses with just a few shelves, bay window extensions for growing kitchen herbs or backyard greenhouses.

At the opposite extreme, greenhouses can be erected to extend for blocks on end for commercial purposes. Whatever plants you want to grow, a greenhouse can be found to help you.

Greenhouses can be purchased prefabricated, in custom-made designs, or as do-it-yourself kits. The structural beam used to support greenhouses can be made of wood PVC, aluminium or heavier types of metals. Materials used to create the window panes can vary from real glass to many types of plastic or synthetic sheeting. Words of caution, if you want to erect a greenhouse with glass panes, it is best to hire a professional installer.

HYDROPONICS

This is the growing of plants without soil. Instead of nutrients solution which contains the minerals that the plants need.

This method of gardening is an easy, environmentally sound way to grow a wide variety of healthy plants and it offers numerous benefits, including the following: Plants grow up to fifty per cent faster than in soil because they have easy access to food and water. It is possible to garden indoors all year around as nutrients are directly available to plants and don’t get bound up. Little or no pesticides are necessary. Plants start out in a disease-free medium. Smaller containers can be used also as roots are able to grow without being root bound.

Gardening is possible where it would not be normally such as poor soil, rocky areas, even balconies. With the use of artificial lighting it is even possible to successfully garden in a spare room or garage.

Other benefits include a reduction in labour requirements as no digging or weeding is required, plants are more fast growing and more resistant to pests and diseases. One will also notice improved flavour and texture in hydroponically grown fruits and vegetables.

Here are some suggested vegetables that can be used within this technology: tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, squash, beans, spinach, lettuce and broccoli. Also varied types of herbs, flowers and houseplants can be used in hydroponics gardens.

AQUAPONICS

The principles underlying the practice of aquaponic farming are similar to those in hydroponics, as well as aeroponics, except that in this case, the produce is grown underwater. This method is a combination of both aquaculture and hydroponics.

Tilapia fish production is the best example of the technique, where it gives the fish its unique culinary attributes. Its white flesh is very soft, succulent and mild with a slight ‘sweetish’ taste and a lean consistency in the meat.

Aquaponics provides ideal conditions for aquatic plants to be grown, especially with the presence of the aquativ herb lemanaceae, or as we know it ‘ duck weed’. It is grown in fresh water, and is said that it is the smallest flowering plant on earth. Aquaponics assist in giving this plant some of its unique characteristics, especially its simply fleshy, flattened structure.

The combination of tilapia and duckweed existing in an aquaponic environment provides one of the most ecologically friendly situations that exist in present-day farming. Notably, the Tilapia thrives off the duckweed grows rapidly without duress, where they both provide a source of food and income generation.