Team:Lambert GA
FOOD INSECURITY
44 MILLION Americans face food insecurity or have limited access to affordable and fresh produce. These people are limited to either highly processed junk food or fast foods which have been linked to chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and heart attacks. Food insecurity is highly prevalent in our hometown of Atlanta, with one in every four Atlantans living in neighborhoods classified as food deserts. Hydroponics is a pragmatic solution to address food insecurity, but maintenance and costs are barriers to implementation.
HYDROPONICS
THE FUTURE OF FARMING
Hydroponics is a form of agriculture that substitutes soil with aqueous nutrient solutions. The hydroponics industry has increased by 22.52% annually since 2019 and is projected to grow at a similar pace over the next five years. This growth reflects the many benefits of hydroponics including maximized space, conserved water, faster crop growth, increased nutritional value, and growth in unfavorable climates. Hydroponics can address food insecurity by producing nutrient-dense and high-yield crops in a compact form.
PROBLEM
Contemporary small-scale hydroponics systems experience a greater degree of nutrient fluctuation as compared to industrial systems, and nutrient monitoring methods are costly and time-consuming, with results often being imprecise. Nutrient fluctuations result in declining plant health as plants are more susceptible to pathogens, resulting in smaller yields. Additionally, when nutrient levels in the water supply fluctuate outside the optimal range, farmers are forced to discard the water and restart the system. All of these barriers hinder potential consumers from utilizing hydroponic systems.
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