FAO headquarters is now home to a hydroponics facility

Rome -The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) unveiled today the first hydroponics facility housed in its headquarters. 

Hydroponics involves growing crops and plants without soil, using water-based nutrient solutions, offering the possibility of clean and consistent food production, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said while introducing the facility. 

Hydroponics can boost water use efficiency and productivity, helping tackle the pressing challenges of water scarcity. It is an example, Qu emphasized, of the kind of innovation needed to transform agrifood systems and make them more sustainable. 

Harnessing the “power of innovation” requires “sound strategies” such as those embedded in FAO’s new Strategy on Science and Innovation, he said, adding that it also requires substantial investments. 

Hydroponics entails upfront costs but offers advantages such as reducing the inputs needed to grow food crops. Water requirements are also reduced in many instances, notably for tomatoes. FAO has supported and implemented various related projects, including a pioneering project in Jordan that incorporates a fish hatcher and serves as a training center.

The Director-General thanked the Ambassador of the State Israel, Yael Rubinstein, for donating the new microfarm, which is growing leafy green lettuces. 

He noted that it will be showcased next week when FAO hosts the World Food Forum, a week-long event that will itself provide an opportunity to disseminate knowledge about hydroponic systems and other innovations, as well as to promote their broader adoption and use.