What is hydroponic farming and how does it work?

Hydroponic farming is a method of growing plants without soil, where the plants receive all of their nutrients from a nutrient-rich water solution. The word 'hydroponics' comes from the Greek words for water and work, meaning 'water working.'

The plants can be grown indoors, in a greenhouse or in vertical farming towers. They are placed in containers that are filled with an inert growing medium, such as perlite, coconut coir, or gravel. The nutrient-rich water solution is then delivered directly to the plant roots through a water pump, which is set on a timer to provide the plants with water and nutrients at regular intervals.

Hydroponic farming is becoming increasingly popular as a sustainable farming method because it allows for more efficient use of water and nutrients than traditional soil-based agriculture. It also enables farmers to grow crops year-round, regardless of climate or weather conditions, and it can be done in urban areas, reducing transportation costs and the carbon footprint associated with shipping produce long distances.