Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Food security and vegetable crops: why hydroponic crop production matters?

3^rd International Conference on Agricultural Engineering and Food Security

November 12-13, 2018 | Berlin, Germany

Uttara Samarakoon

Ohio State University, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

The challenge of increased feeding in global population is well documented over the last decade. Vegetables play an immense role in nutrition and health of people and therefore a key component in our dietary recommendations. Access to vegetables and availability of fresh vegetables are limited in many parts of the world, including developed countries. Vegetable production is even more challenged under adverse climatic conditions due to the perishable nature of the product. Hydroponic crop production along with the controlled environment offers the opportunity to grow vegetable crops without soil and with efficient use of fertilizer and water. The hydroponic technologies are so divergent and therefore offer the flexibility to adopt based on resource availability. This presentation will outline the different hydroponic production techniques and recommended crops, addressing the opportunities available for small to large-scale producers based on available inputs. Contribution of hydroponics to urban food availability and reduction of food miles, maintaining the quality of product will also be discussed.

Biography :

E-mail: samarakoonbasnagala.1@osu.edu