Various Scales of Hydroponic Farming
The incredible versatility of hydroponics means that even small and simple at-home systems can yield healthy and sustainable foods. These systems can be conveniently nestled in the corners of your home, providing year-round access to fresh produce. While these smaller setups represent a shift in how we approach food production, larger, more intricate hydroponic systems have the potential to revolutionize local food systems by significantly increasing food production. However, it's important to recognize that these larger systems may not be feasible for everyone due to their higher upfront costs, technological requirements, and need for specialized expertise to operate efficiently. The image below offers a rough outline of where various types of hydroponic farming methods fall along the spectrum of technology, cost, and scale.
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How to Farm with Hydroponics
Hydroponics presents a wide range of possibilities for individuals and businesses that want to produce food sustainably. From small passive systems to large commercial vertical farming, hydroponics can range in scale, required tech, and food production. Below, you will find various examples of hydroponic systems at varying scales to demonstrate how to farm with hydroponics.
Costs of Hydroponic Farming
In order to figure out the costs associated with hydroponic farming, we must first answer the following questions:
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1) How many people do you want to feed?
2) How much space/area can you dedicate to growing food?
3) Do you want to grow a portion or all of the food required for a year?
3) What is your total budget?
The next stage involves using the provided chart below to determine the required land area to feed a specified number of individuals based on their dietary needs. For instance, if the aim is to provide only fruits and vegetables for a family of six over the course of a year, approximately 0.36 acres or 1,482 square meters of land would be necessary for hydroponic farming. However, these figures represent only a single crop yield per year spread over a single layer of land. It does not account for continuous or multiple yields per year, nor the vertical aspect often used in indoor farming. To get a more accurate representation of the land needed, a reduction factor of 1/20 (0.05) can be applied to convert this area as to account for multiple yields annually and multiple vertical layers of growing. Consequently, the initial 0.36 acres would then translate to 0.018 acres, equivalent to 74 square meters.
Moving forward, the next step involves calculating the initial setup and operational costs based on the derived area. The provided websites offer valuable insights into the operational costs and profits associated with various types of hydroponics farming:
While estimating total costs and profit can be challenging due to factors such as system types, location, market demand, and crop selections, rough estimates can still be derived. On average, the setup costs for an indoor farming operation could amount to approximately $1000 per square meter, with potential annual profits falling within the range of $150 per square meter. This implies that it may take up to seven years for a company to recoup these initial investment costs. However, it's essential to recognize that these figures are general estimates, and actual financial outcomes may vary significantly based on individual circumstances.
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Continuing with the example of meeting the fruit and vegetable requirements of a family of six for a year, the initial setup costs would be in the range of $74,000. While this figure might seem substantial, it's worth considering that, on average, Canadians spend over $4,000 per person per year on groceries. Consequently, a family of six would typically spend over $24,000 per year. Therefore, in approximately three years, the initial investment costs could begin to be recouped while enjoying access to fresh fruits and vegetables at home.
Real World Examples
While hydroponics may sound promising in theory, there are many Canadian companies that showcasing its substantial real-world applications. One such company is Lufa Farms out of Montréal, Québec, who over 300,000 square feet of urban rooftop hydroponics greenhouses. The company produces such a substantial amount of food that they feed 2% of the city. Through their online market place, they also bring together partnering companies to fill customizable baskets with other sustainable and ethically sourced foods.
https://montreal.lufa.com/en/about
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Another company striving to change our food system is Growcer, a modualr food solutation company. Specifically designing shipping container hydroponic systems, they design their smart farms to endur the harsh Canadian climate. The modularity of the units allow for continued expansions while the urban farm grows.