Hydroponics farming: The soil-free solution to Nigeria’s food crisis

Onome Amuge

In a development that leaves many Nigerians scratching their heads, food inflation has shot through the roof,  with food inflation rising by 15.62 percent from June 2023’s 25.25 percent figure to 40.87 percent in June 2024, as shown by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).  As food prices climb to unprecedented heights, Nigerians are left  struggling with a pressing economic crisis that threatens to undermine the country’s financial stability and erode the purchasing power of its citizens.

Despite its importance to the nation’s economy, Nigeria’s agricultural productivity, which contributed 17.22 percent to nominal gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2024,  has been hampered by the relentless march of soil degradation. As flash floods, landslides, and droughts ravage arable lands across the country, the harsh reality of a rapidly declining soil quality has become increasingly apparent.

Reports indicate that a multitude of factors have contributed to this worrying trend, including pollution, over-cultivation, excessive use of fertilisers, and the adverse effects of climate change.

As conventional farming techniques falter in the face of dwindling soil quality and an ever-growing population, hydroponic farming, a cutting-edge farming method, is being touted as a potential game-changer.  This modernised farming system,also known as soilless farming, enables plants to thrive without the use of soil, instead relying on mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.

Agriculturists champion hydroponics farming as a viable means of boosting food production, arguing that it offers several advantages over traditional farming systems, especially in urban regions.

The potential of hydroponics farming to significantly boost food production in Nigeria is also rooted in its unique advantage of allowing for highly controlled nutrient management. Unlike soil-based farming, where nutrient uptake is affected by soil type and fertility, hydroponic systems offer farmers unparalleled control over the nutrient mix, ensuring that plants receive the optimal balance of nutrients to support healthy growth and higher yields.

The potential of hydroponics farming to revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria has not gone unnoticed by industry analysts. According to recent projections, the adoption of hydroponics farming is expected to see a significant surge in the next five years, driven by advancements in climate control, nutrient film techniques, and sensing technologies.

According to Grand View Research, the global hydroponics market size was valued at $5 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4 percent from 2024 to 2030, underpinned by the increasing use of hydroponic systems for indoor farming of vegetables.

In Lagos, Gartner Callaway, an agricultural development company that embraces hydroponics farming, utilises an innovative farming technique known as aeroponics.

Yomi Williams, the company’s  chief executive officer, explained that this method employs hydroponic soil medium, where coco coir, the fibrous outer layer of coconut seed, serves as the growing medium. In this process, the roots of plants are suspended in the air and misted with a nutrient-rich solution, allowing for highly controlled nutrient management and high yields. Coco coir as a substitute for soil, he explained, is sterile (free from bacteria and harmful microorganisms), has good water nutrient-holding qualities and good aeration qualities which are major factors plants need to grow and yield effectively.

Williams underscores the superiority of aeroponics farming over traditional methods. This innovative farming technique, according to him, allows for the cultivation of large quantities of vegetables in urban settings, where both space and water resources are limited.

“The whole point is growing more using less space,less water and less nutrients to ensure sustainable farming,” he explained.

Ogbole Samson, founder of Soilless Farm Lab, an agri-tech company specialising in soilless farming, is confident that hydroponics holds the key to attaining food security in Nigeria.

Samson, speaking on the potential of hydroponics farming, highlighted its remarkable market value as well as its ability to overcome the challenges of traditional farming. He also pointed out the need for Nigeria to embrace hydroponics as a viable solution to address food security concerns and empower the country to feed its rapidly growing population.

In addition to its market value and potential to ensure food security, Samson further highlights that hydroponics farming is also an economically accessible farming technique. He explains that, contrary to popular belief, hydroponics farming does not require significant capital investment. In fact, a producer can launch a hydroponics farm for as little as N30,000, with the potential to generate more than double the initial investment in the form of crop yield. This accessibility, combined with its high yield potential and environmental benefits, makes hydroponics farming a promising solution for Nigeria’s agricultural future.

Phillip Ojo, director general of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), applauded the merits of hydroponics farming, specifically citing its ability to increase the propagation of cassava plants within a short time frame. Ojo explained that when hydroponics is applied to cassava cultivation, the resultant plant materials are observed to multiply rapidly and produce higher yields.

While the advantages of hydroponics farming are manifold, the practice is not without its hurdles. Debo Onafowora, founder and CEO of BIC farm Concepts in Abeokuta, Ogun State, acknowledged the profitability and productivity of hydroponics vegetable farming on his farm, but expressed concern over the lack of government support for this budding agricultural practice.

Onafowora observed that the government has yet to establish a framework and policy infrastructure to support the growth and success of soilless farming, despite its potential to boost food production and food security.

Moreover, Onafowora noted that the highly advanced nature of hydroponics farming demands regular training and the handling of sophisticated equipment, in contrast to traditional farming methods which can be carried out with minimal training and simple tools.

Calling for the government’s active involvement in the development of hydroponics farming, Onafowora underlined the need for financial assistance and grants to support the investment of youth and entrepreneurs in this novel form of agri-business.

In his view, the government should recognize hydroponics as a viable means of job creation and youth empowerment, leveraging its various value chains to foster sustainable economic development in the country.

The BIC Farm founder also suggested the creation of  private- public partnerships to encourage larger investments capable of generating revenue for both the government and private organisations.

According to Ogbole Samson, the adoption of hydroponics farming has been impeded by low awareness of the practice and skepticism among farmers towards the adoption of this new farming innovation.

Samson also raised concerns regarding the erratic power supply in the country, which he views as a major hindrance to the large-scale implementation of hydroponics farming.

In light of the global trend towards hydroponics farming, particularly for vegetable production, Samson stressed the critical need for Nigeria to embrace this paradigm shift and invest in its development.

He urged both the government and private organisations to take a more proactive role in promoting hydroponics farming by sponsoring training programmes, research projects, and public awareness campaigns.

Through these measures, Samson believes that Nigeria can accelerate the adoption of hydroponics farming, thereby paving the way for a more sustainable and productive agricultural sector that is better able to meet the needs of the country’s rapidly growing population.