The recent Global Report on Food Crises 2023 by the Global Network Against Food Crises revealed shocking statistics on the number of people facing “acute hunger and malnutrition” in crisis-prone counties.
It was estimated that over a quarter of a billion people in 58 food-crisis countries/territories were acutely food-insecure and required urgent food assistance. This is the highest number seen in the report’s seven-year publication history.
There are three leading causes behind this dramatic rise in food insecurity:
- Conflict is the primary driver in 19 countries/territories, mainly those with protracted disputes (such as Afghanistan and Yemen).
- Economic Shocks, including the repercussions of the war in Ukraine and the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19, were the main driver in 27 countries. Many poorer countries faced decreased economic resilience, extended recovery periods and less ability to cope with potential future shocks.
- Weather Extremes, such as the sustained drought in the Horn of Africa and the devastating floods in Pakistan.
Sustainable agriculture can go a long way to addressing food insecurity, as it allows for more efficient use of limited resources rather than a reliance on unsustainable shortcuts. It relies heavily on local production, increased produce and a constant supply of food – all of which Gelponics can help with.
Gelponics can help address food insecurity by providing a sustainable and efficient method of agriculture. Our sustainable low-carbon substrate products are 100% natural and biodegradable, which allows you to accelerate cultivation.
The concept of Gelponics
Gelponics is made from common low-carbon products as part of a stable supply chain, protecting peatland. The hydrogel formula does not require energy-intensive processing for manufacture, and so it produces much less CO2 than stone wool. Gelponics is also low maintenance and can fertigate the entire plant growth cycle.
The environmental benefits associated with using Gelponics as your plant growth media include:
- water conservation
- efficient nutrient delivery
- year-round production
The link between Gelponics and sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is a farming approach aimed at managing natural resources in a way that will yield similar results to more conventional farming methods over time. It involves adopting better farming practices, such as crop rotation, planting crops in the right place, and using organic fertilisers, to increase food production.
Therefore, Gelponics is the perfect growth medium for sustainable agriculture, as it offers a decreased need for the use of harmful pesticides, a reduction in water usage, and a reduction in carbon footprint overall.
Gelponics is a much more sustainable alternative to other types of growing media, such as:
- Coir – which relies on an unstable supply chain, using aggressive cultivation.
- Peat – is environmentally damaging and can lead to mass flooding.
- Stone wool – is non-biodegradable and has a high carbon footprint.
There is a global food insecurity crisis, which is forecast to get worse. Sustainable agriculture can be used to address this crisis, and Gelponics can help as it is an efficient and sustainable method of agriculture. The benefits of using Gelponics for plant growth include increased water conservation, efficient nutrient delivery and year-round production while at the same time reducing the use of harmful pesticides and the overall carbon footprint.
If you would like to learn more about our sustainable growth media, Gelponics, then please get in touch with us at contact@aehinnovativehydrogel.com or call us on 07867 402247.
