Čeština
Slovenčina
English
Polski
Magyar
Arabic
Deutsch
The Future Farming advanced technology product portfolio for modern agriculture is now wider. Get to know our new product – a second-generation active deep water culture (DWC) system for aquaponic vegetable growing. The new DWC II system (horizontal method) aims to increase aquaponic vegetable availability to consumers. The technology has already been installed and commissioned in the second block of our aquaponic farm in Brno – Heršpice and will be shown at GreenTech Amsterdam in mid-June.
DWC is a hydroponic method of vegetable growing based on growing plants in water without soil. Plant roots are exposed to oxygen and nutrients dissolved in the water for quick and healthy growth. This technology has been used since the 1980s for hydroponic growing of lettuce and other green vegetables.
DWC II uses the nutrient solution for plant growing as well as for the movement of the floating cultivation rafts where the vegetables are grown. The floating cultivation rafts are arranged horizontally and move along the water surface automatically in harmony with the plant growth stages.
The DWC II system is designed for advanced aquaponics. The system features bigger tanks, plant containers, improved nutrient and oxygen supply systems, and automated programs for plant growth control and monitoring. The system is interconnected with fish farming recirculation tanks to form a closed vegetable and fish production cycle.
The new DWC II technology has a symbolic name: Aztec Garden. This is because the ancient Aztecs used a similar system (called chinampas) for growing vegetables and flowers. Our Aztec Garden features an area of 3,000 square metres and a planned production capacity of 150 tonnes of vegetable a year.
Our Aztec Garden includes 12 big reservoirs with floating rafts (polystyrene boards), where green vegetable and herb seedlings are placed. The plant roots are immersed in a nutrient solution and the upper parts of the plants are watered with artificial rain from nozzles suspended over the floating rafts.
The principal advantages of this new system over the existing vertical NFT technology (the A-shape) include lower acquisition and operating costs, simple operation, and easy automation. The technology was installed by an international team of Czech and Dutch experts in advanced aquaponics and hydroponics.
