Haimen district in Nantong, Jiangsu province, has been making significant strides in the development of hydroponic cultivation for plants and vegetables—an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and high-yield cultivation method.

Currently, the area dedicated to hydroponic cultivation in Haimen spans nearly 500 mu (33.33 hectares), with an average annual yield of 30,000 yuan ($4,177) per mu, surpassing traditional soil farming by two to three times.

Leading the charge in hydroponic cultivation within the district is Nantong Qiangsheng Agricultural Technology Development Co Ltd. Last year, the company yielded 30,000 metric tons of vegetables, generating a value exceeding 100 million yuan.

"By controlling light, temperature, water, air, and nutrients, we provide vegetables with a relatively optimal growth environment," explained Fan Yage, the manager of Qiangsheng. Through hydroponic cultivation techniques, not only is the quality of vegetables superior, but the annual yield is also more reliable.

In recent years, Haimen has established a roughly 100-mu hydroponic vegetable technology demonstration base, primarily cultivating lettuce, spinach, endive, and chives.

By employing technologies such as automated environmental control and green pest management, they have achieved highly efficient production, further unlocking the potential for increased productivity and efficiency in modern agriculture.

Hydroponic cultivation is used in the Nantong Qiangsheng Agricultural Technology Development Co Ltd. [Photo/Nantong Daily]