One of the most recent decisions made by US Department of Agriculture has been branded as controversial and led to numerous disputes and arguments. The USDA decided to give an organic label to produce that is grown in controlled, water-based environments. The decision to label aquaponics and hydroponics as organic has angered a lot of people.
Should aquaponics and hydroponics be considered as “organic” vegetables?
When the word “organic” is mentioned, people usually associate it with food that is healthful, safe, and produced in an environment which wasn’t “ruined” with various chemicals, pesticides etc.
However, it should be noted that organic doesn’t always mean some product is 100% organic and standards vary from country to country. For example, the US Department of Agriculture determines what is considered organic in the United States. Some products can be 95% or 100% organic, while others are 70% or less. However, it is mandatory to write that on the label.
Hydroponics
It belongs to hydroculture and is a way of growing plants in water, without soil. The plants are able to grow in this environment because their roots are in the mineral nutrient solution.
Aquaponics
Aquaponics is defined as food production process that includes conventional aquaculture (raising fish, crayfish, and prawns in tanks) and hydroponics in one combined environment.
Related: 5 Easy Vegetables to Grow Without Gardening Skills
The Advantages of Hydroponics and Aquaponics
These two methods of growing plants have their advantages and disadvantages. Some advantages include:
- No soil-borne insects
- No digging, no back pain
- No pests
- Reduction in the usage of water
- Plants grow faster
- Since the plants grow in water, you can’t underwater or overwater the plants and possibly cause damage.
- Just like water, fertilizing is also integral to these systems.
Disadvantages of Hydroponics and Aquaponics Include:
- The tank where the water and fish are becomes polluted frequently which results with high levels of ammonia.
- Expensive to set up.
- In order to have a aquaponics system, you also need a greenhouse. Hydroponics require a lot of space as well, and not many people have enough room for them.
- The aquaponics method requires a lot of electric energy. Basically, with the expensive price of setting up, and high electric bill, it is sometimes not financially practical to use this method of growing plants.
- You don’t have to spend your money on fertilizers, but you do need to invest into fish food.
- Water quality has to be monitored all the time.
- You don’t have to dig, but these methods require a lot of maintenance.
What Do Experts Say?
According to experts and critics of the USDA’s decision to label this produce as organic, there is a huge difference between plants that grow in this environment and plants that grow in soil.
First of all, plants that grow in aquaponics and hydroponics methods depend on what people put in the water. Additionally, if the quality of water isn’t monitored properly, it can decrease the value of produce.
Moreover, according to Jeff Moyer, farm director of the Rodale Institute, plants that grow in water don’t have same level of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients as plants that grow in soil, as plants need soil in order to develop properly.
What do defenders of this plant production methods say?
Defenders of aquaponics claim that plants produced in this way have the same value as plants produced in soil. Owner of aquaponic farm from Cocoa, Florida, Al Eisler claims that the only ingredients he adds to water are fish food and some minerals. The plants grow by feeding of the wastes that are produced by fish which is, according to him, a completely natural process.
Related: This Gardening Tip = Faster Food with Less Water
Conclusion
Although the decision made by the USDA to label aquaponics and hydroponics as organic didn’t receive positive reactions, people are able to buy plants grown in this system under the organic food label. However, this decision poses more questions than answers and emphasized the need to create measures that would regulate water-based systems.
Additionally, it is of extreme importance to conduct studies that would inspect these plants and determine whether they really have the same nutritional value as plants grown in soil.
Sources:
Aqua-Pana-Ponics
Wikipedia