This sounds like something out of a science fiction book however there is an experimental biospheres off the coast of Italy where they grow fruits and vegetables for human consumption. An Italian company has created the world's first ever underwater farm.
According to report by Washington Post, this experimental project called Nemo's Garden is operated by the family-owned Ocean Reef Group, a diving equipment company. It is currently on its fourth year of operation. The balloon-like biospheres take advantage of the ocean's natural properties to grow plants. The air of the greenhouse stands at 79 degrees with humidity at around 83 percent which is a pretty good environment to grow plants.
In a bid to explore alternative methods of growing crops, the company crated five transparent biospheres anchored at the bottom of the sea off the coast of Savona, Italy. There, they grow strawberries, basil, beans, garlic and lettuce.
Luca Gamberini, project spokesperson and son of the president said, "The main target of this project is to create alternative sources of plant production in areas where environmental conditions make it difficult to grow crops through conventional farming, including lack of fresh water, fertile soils, and extreme temperature changes. We are trying to find an alternative and economically viable technology enabling efficient production."
The five biospheres are constantly monitored by Ocean Reef Group. They are currently floating between depths of 18 and 36 feet. "We have installed many webcams and we can easily check on everything," Gamberini said. "We also have a sensor panel with live data feed from the lab biosphere - so all data is live, on the internet and accessible to anyone."
Sergio Gamberini, Ocean Reef President, said came up with the idea of growing plants during one summer vacation in Italy. "I try to do something that's a little different and to show the beauty of the ocean," Gamberini said. "I hope to do something for the young people and to inspire new dreams."
After two years and may obstacles, they were able to anchor 5 biospheres complete with live Web streaming and sensors collecting data real time on oxygen and carbon dioxide. "It's been a learning curve," said Luca. "We completely lost the crops four times, but it didn't really matter because we have such great growth rates."
As of the moment, the project is only allowed to set up their biospheres during four months of the year and has not sold the produce yet. However the group hopes that may change in time. The wife is also reported to be using the produce to make delicious dishes.
This innovation, the world's first ever underwater farm in Italy, may lay the foundation to come up with a new form of crop production that has no harmful effects to the environement.
