In the next 30 years the world population can reach 9 billion inhabitants. In the face of this growth and the scarcity of fresh water used in the cultivation and preparation of food, new less intensive farming techniques are developed to support the increase in production. That's why The Scottish company Seawater Solutions has invested in a solution — the cultivation of vegetables in saltwater. 

With only 2% of fresh water available for human consumption, being part of scarce sources, contaminated or trapped in glaciers, food production may be threatened in the coming years. Experts suggest that it should increase by up to 70% to accommodate population growth. However, climate change is a hindrance to these methods working. 

As water consumption grows, drought in several cities around the world suffers from the consequences of the climate crisis. Cities like Santiago in Chile are going through devastating droughts with water rationing. However, regions known for their rains also face the same problem as the UK. 

From this threat, the Glasgow-based startup was created. Seawater Solutions was founded in 2017 and has Regenerative Seawater Agriculture (RAS), a type of aquaculture based on the introduction of salt-tolerant species and ecologies in degraded lands. The company is responsible for transforming these lands into an artificial sapal ecosystem where food can be extracted.

These plantations, called halophytes, can survive and thrive in waters with a large percentage of salt. 

The method helps protect the coast from floods and possible eerions, as well as being a form of carbon absorption —and can be 30 times more effective than tropical forests. Adaptation to these plantations could also generate carbon credits for farmers who are interested in the change. In addition, these artificial ecosystems are sustainable and use renewable energy sources. 

While halophytes produced by Seawater Solutions can be used as food, cosmetic raw material and biofuels, other similar plantations already use the method for growing other foods. The Netherlands the Salt Farm Foundation, for example, grows potatoes and cabbages with the help of saline agriculture.

It is not yet known whether saline agriculture or the techniques used by Seawater Solutions are the best to combat the effects of climate change, however, the adaptation of cultivation methods are essential for the future of the planet.

Source: eCycle