New developments in greenhouse technology can mitigate the water shortage problem of the 21st century.

摘要

The world's fresh accessible water situation is deteriorating at a dismal pace. Though the situation is already quite dramatic in Africa, the near future will bring us great problems in Asia as well, considering the pace at which the population is growing and the rise in water use per capita as the economy induces a raised demand. Agricultural consumption of fresh water is one of the main water uses world wide; however, it appears that protected cultivation of horticultural crops can alleviate the problem. Drip irrigation already reduces water use dramatically. However, novel high technological solutions in greenhouse production can lead the way to highly efficient water use production techniques. Adoption of more efficient water use techniques will contribute to sustainability, especially in highly populated urban areas. The novel Dutch technology of closed greenhouses could help develop water efficient production systems.