Academics in new crop production method

Carren Mushonga

LOCAL academics have modified an agricultural technique to grow crops with little or no soil, a method that has the capability of saving up to 20 times more water compared to the conventional planting that uses soil.

The technique – hydroponics - which is popular in China and Europe, has since been modified by students at the Harare Institute of Technology ( HIT) to meet local climatic conditions.

The development is in line with the Government’s thrust under the 5.o academic model that emphasises a skills based approach to learning.

Hydroponics is the growth of plants with little or no soil and it relies on important nutrients dissolved in a water solution.

The technique allows the plant roots direct contact with the nutrient solution and access to oxygen.

In an interview, HIT Department of Environmental Management Renewable Energy and Climate Change director Dr Antony Phiri said hydroponics allows farmers to engage in intensive farming.

“Water can be reused and this system requires 20 times less water than soil based gardening,” he said.

“It also reduces nutrient leaching into the environment and is less vulnerable to pests or diseases.

“There is high plant population per area as one plant has the capacity of producing two times more than those grown in soil.”

Dr Phiri said the technique was expected to be launched before the end of the year.

HIT has also developed another agricultural based method of spot irrigation called Scientific Conservation Irrigation Technology ( SCIT).