Ypres (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Boudry family in Ypres launched large-scale outdoor hydroponic leek farming after 10 years of research with Inagro. Researcher Tim de Cuypere highlights faster growth, higher yields, cleaner leeks, and automated systems.
As VRT News reported, the Boudry family farm in Ypres has started the first large-scale outdoor hydroponic leek production this spring. The project follows 10 years of research and testing. During that time, the farm and experts studied nutrient solutions, water control, and growing conditions to perfect the method.
Hydroponics allows plants to grow without soil. Nutrients and water are delivered directly to the roots in a controlled way. Tim de Cuypere, a researcher at Inagro, the province’s agricultural and horticultural research centre, says this method gives full control over water and nutrients.
“The leeks grow in tubes on floats that float on the water,
De Cuypere describes.
That water circulates constantly. Weeds and soil-borne diseases have a chance to develop because the leeks grow so close together. Cultivation is also completely weather-dependent. For example, machinery no longer needs to be driven through the muddy fields before harvesting.”
What is happening with hydroponic leek farming at Ypres’ Boudry farm?
Some critics say hydroponic vegetables lack flavour, but De Cuypere disagrees. He says these leeks are high-quality and tasty. Taste panels have confirmed their flavour matches traditional leeks. The leeks also have white lengths.
Farmer Bart Boudry says hydroponic leek farming brings many advantages. He explains that the yield per square meter is much higher than with traditional soil farming. His farm is in a hilly area where erosion is a concern.
Boudry adds that harvesting and sorting will soon be fully automated. The leeks grown this way are also completely free of. The system is controlled by sensors and computers. He mentioned that the system still requires attention and occasional checks of nutrient levels.
Boudry stresses that hydroponic leeks will not replace soil-grown leeks. Traditional open-ground leeks will continue to exist. He says hydroponics is a complement, not a replacement, for conventional farming.
The system allows faster growth, higher yields, and cleaner produce, and removes risks like soil erosion. Farmers benefit from automation and computer control while still maintaining oversight of essential measurements.
From 2015 to 2021, Inagro worked with REO Auction on experiments using hydroponics with the outdoor Deep Float Technique. The tests showed the system could increase automation, reduce environmental impact, and produce more leeks per square meter than traditional farming.
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Boudry family from Kemmel delivered the first batch of leeks on floating carriers to the REO Auction. The leeks were high quality with a long, white stalk. Both REO Auction and Inagro plan to expand this method.
