A food biotechnologist, Morufat Li-Hammed, has called for the introduction of innovative farming techniques like hydroponics to African farmers to boost agricultural productivity.

In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Friday, Li-Hammed made the call at a recent webinar hosted by the Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Network Development Foundation.

The researcher recognised the need for awareness and education for African farmers on hydroponics and its potential to transform farming in Africa.

She stated that technology such as hydroponics helps address the challenges of food security, land scarcity, and climate change and helps boost agricultural productivity.

She said, “Hydroponics is not a new concept. Early civilizations like the Babylonians and Aztecs used water-based growing methods. Scientific advancements in the 19th and 20th centuries helped develop hydroponic nutrient solutions, and by the 1940s, the U.S. military was using hydroponics to grow food in remote areas.

“Today, NASA uses hydroponics for space farming, and modern commercial farms worldwide rely on it. In Africa and Nigeria, hydroponics is gaining momentum as a sustainable solution for urban and small-scale farming.”

Speaking further, Li-Hammed stated that there are various soilless farming techniques and different hydroponic systems such as Nutrient Film Technique, Deep Water Culture, Aeroponics and Wick Systems.


According to the botanist, these methods enable efficient water and nutrient use, making them ideal for regions with limited arable land.

Regarding the benefits of hydroponics, Li-Hammed said, “Hydroponics presents multiple advantages over traditional soil-based farming, including water conservation, higher yields, space efficiency and pest and disease control, year-round production, reduced labour and weeding and sustainability.”

She noted that several successful hydroponic farms have emerged globally, highlighting the potential of this innovative farming method. Here are some notable examples:

The researcher and advocate for sustainable agriculture asserted that hydroponics can be implemented using cost-effective, locally sourced materials, making it accessible to small-scale farmers.

Li-Hammed also emphasised the need for policy support, investment, and training programmes to promote hydroponic farming across Africa.

“As Africa moves towards sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, hydroponics offers a promising pathway to increased food security and economic growth,” she said.




https://punchng.com/expert-urges-innovative-farming-techniques-to-boost-food-production/