Senwes Scenario Desember - Februarie 2020 | Page 22

LANDBOUKUNDIG | AGRICULTURAL
Niche market
HYDROPONICS
Farming for the future
Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture, which is a method of growing plants without
soil by instead using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent. Plants common-
ly grown hydroponically include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and lettuces. Senwes
Scenario paid a visit to Jomajoco farm in Gauteng, where farmer Johan van den Bosch
showed us how he grows various herbs and lettuce through the hydroponics technique.
 By Kefiloe Manthata
Senwes Journalist
T
he growing instability of the
farming sector due to climate
change and other varying fac-
tors, has called for the need to
look at different ways through which far­
mers can optimise their production and
still increase their yields. One way to do
this is through greenhouse farming, a
concept that has gained popularity in the
South African agricultural community in
recent years.
The simplified explanation of the
20
mea ­ ning of hydroponics is that it is the
process of growing plants without soil.
Plants are grown in rows, inside “tables”,
suspended in water.
A closer look at the process, however,
proves it to be a little more intricate than
that. Firstly, the idea is to grow bigger
plants in less time than usual without
being reliant on the climate. That means
no more seasonal plant worries as the
condition of the soil bares no conse-
quence for production with this type of
farming.
Optimum water usage is also particu­
larly vital for hydroponic farming. To
achieve favourable results, farmers have to
SENWES SCENARIO | SOMER • SUMMER 2020
monitor the process closely and make sure
that their systems have adequate water,
well-maintained tunnels and sufficient fer-
tiliser and other necessary nutrients.
At Jomajoco farm, Johan showed us
his pump room, which is where all the
real magic happens. It is from there that
a control system feeds information to the
farmer about happenings in the fields
throughout the day.
The system is connected to his lap-
top and cell phone and he can check-in
remotely at any time of day from any-
where. The control system will typically
display the amounts of water and nutrients
that need to be added daily to maintain a