Soilless agricultural systems can revolutionize farming amid climate crisis

Global food systems face a critical turning point due to climate extremes and the rapid surge in urban population. Traditional soil-based farming methods are increasingly vulnerable to water scarcity, land degradation, and disrupted supply chains. At the same time, cities are under pressure to localize food production and reduce environmental footprints.

To address this crisis, soilless agriculture is emerging as a resilient, space-efficient alternative for future-ready horticulture. A comprehensive review study titled “Soilless Agricultural Systems: Opportunities, Challenges, and Applications for Enhancing Horticultural Resilience to Climate Change and Urbanization”, published in Horticulturae (2025), provides an in-depth assessment of how soilless farming can address the dual threats of climate change and urban expansion.

The paper synthesizes recent advancements, technological frameworks, and practical applications of hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics.

How can soilless systems strengthen agriculture against climate change?

The study outlines the escalating vulnerability of conventional soil-based agriculture to extreme weather patterns, temperature rise, erratic precipitation, and land degradation. As arable land shrinks and soil quality declines due to salinization, nutrient depletion, and erosion, the authors argue that soilless systems offer a sustainable, resource-efficient alternative.

Hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics enable cultivation without soil by delivering nutrients directly to plant roots via water or mist. These systems can operate in controlled environments, mitigating exposure to external climatic variables. The authors emphasize several key benefits:

• Water Efficiency: Soilless techniques can reduce water use by up to 90%, especially in recirculating hydroponic and aquaponic systems.
• Soil Independence: Areas with poor or contaminated soil can still produce food, expanding the viable geography for horticulture.
• Climate Resilience: Controlled environments allow year-round production, buffering crops from droughts, floods, and temperature fluctuations.

The study particularly notes that integrating these systems into peri-urban zones can localize food production, shortening supply chains and reducing dependency on long-distance logistics vulnerable to climate disruptions.

What technical and practical challenges limit adoption of soilless agriculture?

Despite promising advantages, the research cautions that the adoption of soilless systems faces significant technological and socio-economic barriers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The study provides a detailed breakdown of these limitations:

• High Capital Costs: Initial investment for system setup, including infrastructure, lighting, pumps, and nutrient monitoring, remains prohibitive for small-scale growers.
• Energy Consumption: Aeroponics and vertical farms often rely on artificial lighting and environmental controls, increasing energy demands unless offset by renewables.
• Technical Complexity: Operating soilless farms requires knowledge of nutrient management, system calibration, and pathogen control - skills that may be limited in rural communities.
• Standardization and Policy Gaps: The absence of universal standards for nutrient formulations, equipment specifications, and food safety regulations hampers commercialization and scalability.

The authors argue that these challenges can be overcome through targeted subsidies, policy incentives, public–private partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives focused on technical training and knowledge dissemination.

In what ways can soilless farming improve urban food security?

With urbanization projected to increase substantially over the coming decades, urban agriculture is becoming a key area of focus. The study evaluates the role of soilless systems in enhancing urban food resilience through rooftop farming, container-based vertical systems, and repurposing underutilized spaces in cities.

Aquaponics, in particular, is identified as a sustainable closed-loop system where fish and plants are co-cultivated, creating synergistic nutrient flows with minimal waste. This technique is well-suited for urban deployment where land scarcity and water limitations prevail.

Key urban benefits highlighted include:

• Localized Production: Urban hydroponic farms can supply leafy vegetables, herbs, and fruits with minimal transportation, improving freshness and reducing emissions.
• Youth Employment and Innovation: Tech-enabled farming attracts younger demographics, supporting agritech entrepreneurship and job creation.
• Disaster Resilience: Urban soilless farms offer an emergency buffer during supply chain disruptions caused by pandemics, conflicts, or climate events.

Furthermore, the study explores the possibility of integrating these systems into smart cities through IoT sensors, AI-driven monitoring, and automation to optimize nutrient delivery, lighting, and climate control. These innovations increase yields while reducing resource inputs.