Innovative Underwater Farming: A Sustainable Future for Agriculture
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Chapter 1: The Future of Agriculture
Could underwater farming revolutionize our approach to agriculture? Ocean Reef, an Italian diving company, is eager to explore this potential. Nestled 4.5 to 11 meters (15 to 36 feet) beneath the surface of the Italian Riviera, Nemo's Garden stands as the globe's first flourishing underwater farm, boasting around 700 plants, such as strawberries, basil, tomatoes, and mint.
Nemo's Garden is investigating a "water-saving, sustainable alternative to traditional land farming" aimed at assisting arid coastal nations in food production without relying on the expensive and resource-draining process of desalination, as noted by Futurism. The underwater farm features six dome-shaped greenhouses that emit a soft, candle-like glow. Sergio Gamberini, the creator of Nemo's Garden, likens each dome to "a miniature space station."
Here are five ways in which Nemo's Garden contributes to environmental conservation:
Section 1.1: Water Conservation
Traditional agriculture accounts for a staggering 70% of global freshwater usage, according to the World Bank.
“Water is a critical input for agricultural production and plays an important role in food security. Irrigated agriculture represents 20% of the total cultivated land and contributes 40% of the total food produced worldwide.” — World Bank.
Effective water management is crucial in regions where rainfall is erratic or insufficient. Consequently, agriculture is depleting water sources at unsustainable rates. With the world’s population on the rise, the demand for water in agriculture to feed everyone will only increase.
Nemo's underwater farm requires an external water source only to initiate plant growth. Once established, the plants sustain themselves using Ocean Reef's innovative system, making it especially beneficial for locations lacking nearby water bodies.
Chapter 2: Addressing Land Degradation
Since the last ice age, humanity has cleared about one-third of the world's forests and two-thirds of wild grasslands for agriculture.
Wild mammal populations have plummeted by approximately 85% since humans began establishing settlements worldwide. Our agricultural expansion has severely harmed the planet. However, in recent years, the use of agricultural land has started to decline.
By adopting sustainable farming practices such as Ocean Reef's underwater farm, we can help alleviate the strain on the Earth's surface and work towards restoring some of the ecosystems we've damaged.
Section 2.1: Enhanced Nutritional Value
A 2020 study published in Scientia Horticulturae found that basil cultivated in Nemo’s Garden had higher concentrations of chlorophyll and antioxidants than that grown on land.
“Differences also emerged in the physiological investigation: total chlorophyll, total carotenoids and total polyphenols were present in higher amounts in the biospheres samples, with a 31.52% and 13.3% increase in the antioxidant activity and polyphenols content, respectively.”
Researchers believe that the unique underwater pressure contributes to these beneficial effects. Future studies could reveal whether this phenomenon applies to other fruits and vegetables, potentially leading to healthier options for consumers.
Section 2.2: Artificial Reef Benefits
Artificial reefs are not a new concept. However, Ocean Reef's underwater domes are attracting various fish species, similar to the function of an artificial reef.
This unexpected outcome has scientists intrigued, especially given the drastic decline of marine life due to pollution, sedimentation, and rising temperatures.
Other examples of improvised coral reefs include shipwrecks, bridges, and other offshore structures that provide habitat for marine organisms.
Section 2.3: Eco-Friendly Fertilizers
Fertilizers are notoriously harmful to the environment due to their reliance on ammonia, which is produced in large quantities using fossil fuels.
Currently, ammonia production contributes between 1% and 2% of global CO2 emissions. However, Nemo’s Garden employs a liquid fertilizer derived from "natural sources" to provide essential nutrients to its plants.
The company also plans to explore the potential of producing fertilizers from algae found in the sea, promoting a fully sustainable cycle for plant growth by utilizing marine resources.
For a deeper dive into Nemo's Garden, check out the following videos:
This incredible underwater farm could be the future of food | Pioneers for Our Planet.
First Underwater Farm - YouTube.
Explore the innovative techniques used in Nemo's Garden.