United States-based company Cloud Farms is on a mission to democratise agriculture. Their latest innovation, the Amphora planting kit is a hydroponic planter for herbs and other small greens. It does not require dirt and needs to be watered only once per plant.
Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, the company launched their answer to home farming. By steering away from conventional, large-scale agriculture, conservationists around the world hope to reduce waste and protect biodiversity. Innovations like Amphora make it possible for urban dwellers to grow their own produce without the constant hassle of maintenance.
With the Amphora, the roots of the plant descend directly into a mix of water and plant nutrients without any soil. As the plant grows, it can be lifted out to view the roots. By the time the plant has consumed most of the water, it will be fully grown and ready to harvest.
The device retails for about 90 US dollars and comes in black and white. It also includes a polypropylene net cup and seed kit. “At Cloud Farms, we believe that everyone should have access to clean, fresh, healthy food and that we should all have the ability to grow some of our own,” wrote the company. “We craft tools for growing that are simple, beautiful, and enjoyable. Tools that enable even those without time, growing experience or access to outdoor space.”
