Sunlight and seawater: that is all a greenhouse farm in Australia needs to produce 17,000 tons of tomatoes in a year. According to the New Scientist website, this unique farm does not require soil, fertilizers, fossil fuels, or fresh water for crop cultivation. Given the global water crisis and energy shortages, this farm could represent a new face of agriculture in the future. An international group of scientists spent six years designing and constructing this farm. The first prototype of this greenhouse was built in 2010, and construction of a large industrial-scale facility began in 2014, with a building unveiled this week. How does this greenhouse work? A 2-kilometer pipeline brings water from Spencer Gulf to the 'Sundrop' farm (meaning 'sun drop'). This farm is located on a 20-hectare site in the dry region of Augusta. A solar-powered desalination system separates the salt from this water, providing the fresh water necessary for the growth of 180,000 tomato plants inside the greenhouse. Agriculture in this geographical area is nearly impossible due to the scorching summer heat and excessive dryness. However, this greenhouse could transform the entire situation of the region. For growing these tomato plants, which grow in coconut husks instead of soil, there is no need for pesticides, as the seawater cleans and sterilizes the air. The solar energy for this farm is provided by 23,000 mirrors that direct sunlight to a 115-meter receiver tower. On a sunny day, approximately 39 megawatts of energy is produced, which is sufficient to power the desalination device and supply electricity to the greenhouse. Although fossil fuels may still be needed to heat the greenhouse in winter when sunlight is less, the builders of this farm hope that with advancements in technology and more efficient solar batteries, they will soon be completely free from fossil fuels. They believe that although the $200 million cost of building this farm is higher than that of conventional greenhouses, this investment will be profitable in the long run. The tomatoes produced in this greenhouse are currently sold in grocery stores across Australia.
Producing 17,000 Tons of Tomatoes Using Seawater and Sunlight
An innovative greenhouse in Australia produces 17,000 tons of tomatoes annually using seawater and solar energy, eliminating the need for soil and fresh water. This project, developed by an international team over six years, could revolutionize agriculture in water-scarce regions. The investment, although costly, is expected to yield long-term benefits.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A greenhouse farm in Australia has successfully produced 17,000 tons of tomatoes annually using seawater and solar energy, showcasing a new approach to agriculture that does not rely on soil or fresh water.
- The greenhouse uses a solar-powered desalination system to convert seawater into fresh water for irrigation.
- The investment of $200 million is expected to yield long-term profitability despite higher initial costs.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Agriculture is heavily dependent on water and soil, both of which are becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change and overuse.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
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