Chapter 20 - Peruvian hydroponics: low-cost options to produce vegetables for South American cities

Abstract

Due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19 worldwide, it is necessary to rethink the way of producing vegetables taking advantage of free spaces at homes, since a large majority of the world's population have lost their jobs, and they need to generate income for their families. One way to grow plants at homes is through hydroponics or soilless culture. The rising urbanization results in a reduction of arable land and also leads to a higher demand for food in urban areas. As there is a considerable decrease in agricultural soils in the world, soilless culture would be an important production alternative in urban and peri-urban areas, mainly in undeveloped countries. The growth and future of hydroponics in undeveloped countries like Peru will much depend on the development and adaptation of less sophisticated commercial systems. Inside the context of urban agriculture, hydroponics could be well applied in the cities with more simple and low cost of technologies, mainly in extreme poverty areas, as a way to spread the vegetables for self-consumption and to support the family or community income, and also, to create microcompanies that will generate employments. In relation to the media used in soilless culture, there is not an ideal or optimum substrate, because it could be used as a great diversity media, as pure, or as mix form. Among the inorganic substrates it is possible to use quarry, river and quartz sand, gravel, and pumice. Husk rice, coco fiber, peat moss, and sawdust are used as organic media.