ABSTRACT
At the other end of the spectrum, hydroponics is a feasible culture for low-income societies� Very simplified hydroponic systems using waste materials and basic supplies of nutrients are now known as “popular hydroponics” in Latin America (Figure 2�2)� In desert regions of Peru, people living under harsh conditions of existence have turned to satisfying some of their nutritional needs through hydroponic culture� Often, for example, this is a result of some assistance by local universities, such as Universidad de La Molina in Lima, Peru, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations� These institutions provide classes and subsidized supplies for low-income rural people to initiate and carry out hydroponic culture of their basic vegetables for a more healthy diet� Often these societies come together to produce larger facilities on roof tops of schools and community centers and operate as a cooperative in exchanging produce (Figure 2�3)� It also becomes an educational facility for school students� I have personally visited numerous sites of this nature in Peru and seen how people who started just to supplement their diets have expanded to become commercial operations and now make a living by growing vegetables for markets in the large cities such as Lima� This same process has happened in other countries as Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Brazil�
Hydroponics has become popular in all societies as people learn of the many benefits to grow crops free of weeds (Figure 2�4), in control of pests and diseases, and obtain high yields of highly nutritious and safe vegetable crops� I am not trying to mislead you by suggesting that hydroponics is the answer to future food shortages� The point is that you can grow some of the most nutritional vegetables hydroponically such as tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, herbs, and so on that provide healthy products with the least environmental footprint� That is a win-win situation for you and the environment� Do not be left out, this is the way of the future!
