The goal of the project is to develop a food source for the residents of remote and harsh environments in Nunavut beyond simply importing food. The project must work around the harsh conditions that make normal food production means challenging or impossible. Along with this design goal, the project must be environmentally sustainable and be financially feasible.
Hydroponics is a solution that satisfies all the identified stakeholder needs and is feasible. It entails growing plants using hydroponic systems in a sustainable way. Underwater pods similar to underwater gardens were examined and found to have many valuable features like the diversity of foods that can be produced but does have its downfalls in the cold waters of the north. Fish farming was the final solution examined. This solution would provide artic char to the residents of Cambridge Bay but is not feasible in the relatively stagnant waters of Cambridge Bay.
Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants without using soil. Hydroponic flowers, herbs, and vegetables are planted in inert growing media and supplied with nutrient-rich solutions, oxygen, and water. This system fosters rapid growth, stronger yields, and superior quality. Hydroponics administers nutrient solutions tailored to the needs of the plant being grown.
Enforcing hydroponics creates employment, greater production quantity, and lower cost of produce. Systems require lots of attention to detail with nutrient solution monitoring, therefore creating a vast number of jobs to become available to citizens all year round. From hydroponic positions there was an expected 10% employment growth during the 2019-2029 decade. To get lower priced produce hydroponics cuts out import costs such as currency conversion costs, international freight & logistics charges, import charges, port charges, customs clearance fees, import duties and taxes and local delivery. Not only will the cost decrease, but there will be continuous production. Because crops can be grown in greenhouse environments, year-round production is available and increase supply for the high demand while minimizing the need for preserving food. Hydroponics proves to be profitable in productive facilities which can generate revenue. This revenue raised is enough to pay overhead expenses and provide a reasonable wage for workers. 44 planters of the below size can produce 43,200 crops.
This method completely takes out the need to transport produce to Cambridge Bay. Relying on less land and water to create an eco-friendly and space cautious method to farming. With a nutrient-rich water solution that can be reused for weeks a time, capturing and recycling water will cut down the 10% of greenhouse gas output that is from agriculture processes. For example, 1 kilogram of produce with hydroponics uses 3 litres of water whereas in soil 80 litres of water was used. This mass use of water is due to continual drainage and run off, as well as soil evaporation and the slow growth process of crops in soil requiring long term irrigation. Because hydroponics is removed from the natural water cycle, it can cut down on losses in these areas. Hydroponics high yield of calories per growing area is due to how close plants can be placed without the downfall of slow plant growth and is proven to grow at least 20% faster than their soil bound counterparts. For example, a lettuce farmer might get 3-5 crops in soil vs. 10-14 in hydroponic over the same square footage of land. Over time this can be beneficial to allow wildlife more land and vegetation to prosper.
To conclude, hydroponics in a greenhouse facility can eliminate many costs and has many societal and environmental benefits that can lead to prosperous farming. Although there may be disadvantages from various points of views, the society and government would greatly benefit from a hydroponics design.
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