MODERN AGRICULTURE

HYDROPONIC AGRICULTURE

Hydroponic agriculture is the process of growing crop in water filled with nutrients without soil.

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AEROPONIC AGRICULTURE

Aeroponic agriculture does not use water or soil but uses a mist filled with nutrients to feed the roots.

Click on the image for demonstration

 ADVANTAGES:

1. Higher crop yield. 

2. Better quality crops - The crops are bigger and more nutritious.

3. Faster crop yield - Crops maturity is quicker.

4. Greater profitability - Overhead cost is low with high output.

5. Reduction in food import bill - The Bahamas import $400 million in food product every year.

6. Could be built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. 

Hurricane damaged banana farm

DISADVANTAGES:

1. Costly to set up.

COMMENTARY

After the last food crisis, everyone should now realize that 

FOOD SECURITY = NATIONAL SECURITY.

Every year The Bahamas is under the threat of hurricane. Therefore our agriculture industry is always under threat. We can overcome this if the government was to encourage all farmer to use modern techniques. With careful planning the agriculture industry could become a major pillar of national development. This requires access to capital, retraining, marketing and proper distribution. 

The next step in the process is the creation of food products through processing, canning and distribution.We must now push hard to become self sufficient in certain food products.