{
  "id": 27591,
  "title": "FOOD FOR THOUGHT: How hydroponic gardens plant seeds of innovation and women’s empowerment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/31/food-for-thought-how-hydroponic-gardens-plant-seeds-of-innovation-and",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-07-31T16:28:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-07-31-how-hydroponic-gardens-plant-seeds-of-innovation-and-womens-empowerment/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two South African high schools and women from their surrounding communities will learn to grow vegetables sustainably using a tailor-made solar-powered vertical hydroponic system. The project, carried out by Humanitarian and development organisation Islamic Relief South Africa and its partners, will provide the schools with the agricultural tools to grow food without soil, recycles water, and is emission-free.\n\nIn Cape Town, the project involves installing 12 vertical solar-powered hydroponic systems at Pelican Park High School, with the first one already in place. In Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, James Nxumalo Agricultural High School will receive greenhouse tunnels and 12 more systems. The initiative aims to educate learners on unconventional farming methods and empower women in Pelican Park and Ulundi.\n\nThe vertical solar-powered hydroponic systems were designed by Ridaa Manuel, founder and director of Green New World, with assistance from UWC graduate trainees in the Energy Storage Graduate Programme. These systems grow crops five times faster than conventional farming, require little space and no soil, are emission-free, and recycle water using 90% less water than traditional farming methods. They are also automated and self-watering.\n\nUsers can track the system's progress via an app. In addition to curriculum integration, the project plans to train 50 women in basic agricultural practices at each school, with preference given to parents and guardians of students. These women will receive a certificate from the South African Institute of Entrepreneurship upon completion. Twelve women will undergo advanced training in agriculture and entrepreneurship to potentially farm on a larger scale.",
  "summary": "Two South African high schools and women from their surrounding communities will learn to grow vegetables sustainably, thanks to a tailor-made solar-powered vertical hydroponic system that requires no soil, recycles water and is emission-free.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}