Dubai-based Agricel recently launched a farming system that uses a film-like material instead of soil and allows farmers to use 90 percent less water. Film farming is a technology in which plants are cultivated on a hydro-membrane composed of water-soluble polymer and hydro-gel. This hydro-membrane absorbs water and nutrients from the culture medium, and does not release any to the plant side. "The plants' roots attach themselves to it and suck up all the water and nutrients through the film. It's a new way of producing food."
With a cost comparable to soil-based agriculture and cheaper than hydroponics, film farming is expected to offer a return on investment of between 40 and 70 percent, says Agricel, which offers an online guide to building a film farm in 60 days. Agricultural entrepreneurs: one to look into?
www.agricel.co
No comments:
Post a Comment