Sustainable Cultivation and the Role of Hydroponics at the SAGAFLOR Awards

Sustainable cultivation is becoming increasingly important in modern agriculture. One particularly innovative method gaining recognition is hydroponics. This cultivation method is increasingly highlighted at the SAGAFLOR and TASPO Awards, which annually recognize the best ideas for sustainable cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

The SAGAFLOR Awards are known for honoring companies that develop sustainable and eco-friendly solutions – and this is where hydroponics shines. With hydroponic systems, plants can be grown efficiently and resource-consciously, as they do not require soil. Instead, the plants grow in a nutrient-rich solution. This method provides an eco-friendly answer to many of today’s agricultural challenges, such as climate change and the urban population growth.

What are the SAGAFLOR Awards?

The SAGAFLOR Awards are presented as part of the TASPO Awards and recognize companies that develop great and creative ideas for the sustainable cultivation and sale of vegetables, herbs, and fruits.

The focus is clearly on sustainable cultivation, innovation, and strong market potential. To win an award, ideas must be eco-friendly and stand out from other concepts to achieve a lasting impact.^[1] This ensures that only the best and most sustainable companies even have a chance at the prize.

A good example of a company that has been successful in this category is the Marburg Garden Center (GCM GmbH). They have developed a modern hydroponic system that can grow fresh plants year-round. The system operates vertically, meaning it requires little space but still delivers high yields. This is particularly advantageous in cities where space is often limited. Fresh and regional products can be grown without long transport distances, reducing the ecological footprint.^[2]

The example of the Marburg Garden Center shows how new technologies can help improve food supply in cities and promote sustainable cultivation.

Winners of the SAGAFLOR Awards 2024

The winner of the 2024 SAGAFLOR Awards in the category “Best Concept for Vegetables/Herbs/Fruits” is Tanja Dworschak-Fleischmann with Bioland KräuterGut & Bio Maintal-Cress, which, under the FrankenGreens brand, offers a variety of healthy organic microgreens for everyone.

The company is a quality leader for organic potted herbs in southern Germany and, since 2023, a major supplier of microgreens for the retail market. With an annual production volume of around 6.5 million organic herb pots and 10 million organic cress trays, FrankenGreens is a brand that stands out for its fresh design and high-quality products. The microgreens are rich in vitamins, vital nutrients, and antioxidants, making them an ideal healthy addition to any meal.^[1]

The Bioland KräuterGut relies on high production standards and extensive marketing channels to bring the healthy taste experience directly to consumers’ homes. The addition of organic sunflowers, peas, and lupins is entirely new in the convenience offering and targets health-conscious people looking for healthy and sustainable foods.

Amateur and professional chefs, as well as environmentally and quality-conscious consumers, are also among the target group. This concept is exemplary of sustainable cultivation and the trend towards locally produced foods.

Why Hydroponics Stands Out at the SAGAFLOR Awards

Although no company has yet won the SAGAFLOR Award specifically for hydroponics, the nomination of the Marburg Garden Center shows that interest in this technique is growing.

It is especially important that hydroponics allows plants to be grown year-round with consistent quality. This technology helps reduce water usage and make production more efficient – two essential goals for sustainable cultivation.^[3]

Moreover, vertical farming helps increase productivity, as growth conditions such as temperature, light, and nutrients can be precisely controlled. This results in both higher yields and better harvest quality.

Another major advantage of hydroponics is the reduced need for pesticides. In a closed system, there is minimal pest infestation, which means that the use of chemicals can be minimized. This is not only better for the environment but also results in healthier food for consumers.

These healthier and sustainably grown foods are exactly what the SAGAFLOR Awards value highly, as more and more consumers seek eco-friendly and healthy options.

Other Winners and Finalists of the SAGAFLOR Awards 2024

The second place went to Reichenau-Gemüse eG with their project “Fine Sweet Potatoes – Sustainability in Every Fiber.”

On Lake Constance’s Reichenau Island and in neighboring regions, organic sweet potatoes are grown. The introduction of new packaging for smaller sweet potatoes helps prevent food waste. This initiative highlights the importance of finding creative and sustainable solutions to use the entire harvest.

The third place was awarded to Bio PLUS+ GmbH, a collaboration of four family-run farms that developed a closed organic cycle, from cultivation to planting.

This cycle ensures maximum transparency and sustainability. Consumers can easily appreciate the benefits of organic production and know exactly where their food comes from.

The Marburg Garden Center (GCM GmbH) was also nominated as a finalist. The company relies on a modern hydroponic system that allows year-round production of vegetables, lettuce, and herbs. These products are not only fresh and regional but also sustainable, which fits perfectly with the concept of sustainable cultivation.

Sustainable Cultivation as a Key Part of the SAGAFLOR Awards

Sustainable cultivation is at the heart of the SAGAFLOR Awards. Not only creative ideas are recognized, but also those that are particularly eco-friendly.

For example, the Eggers Gemüsehof received an award for its “closed organic cycle” concept in Germany, which shows the importance of reducing waste and using all resources efficiently.^[4] The closed organic cycle ensures that almost no waste is generated and resources are used optimally.

The SAGAFLOR AG itself also actively promotes sustainability. They work to reduce the peat content in their products and instead rely on environmentally friendly alternatives like wood fiber and green waste compost.

They also focus on sustainable packaging and invest in renewable energies, such as solar systems. These initiatives show that sustainable cultivation and eco-friendly solutions are a central part of the company’s strategy[5]. Such initiatives contribute to making the industry as a whole more sustainable and setting an example for other companies to become more eco-friendly.

Hydroponics as the Future of Sustainable Cultivation?

Hydroponics is often seen as the future of sustainable cultivation, as it offers many benefits, such as improved product quality and high efficiency.

In closed systems, less pesticides and less water are required, which protects the environment. Especially now, as climate change presents a major challenge and more people need fresh and healthy food, hydroponics is gaining importance.

Another major advantage is that hydroponics works well in urban areas with limited space. In the future, we could grow fresh vegetables directly in cities without long transport routes. This not only reduces the environmental impact but also enables year-round production, which is particularly beneficial in winter.

Another exciting aspect is research in the field of hydroponics. New technologies and automated systems make it possible to better control plant growth and further increase efficiency.

Hydroponics could thus become an important part of modern agriculture. The combination of hydroponics with other sustainable methods, such as aquaponics (a combination of fish farming and plant cultivation), could play a major role in the future and create many new possibilities for sustainable cultivation.

Conclusion

The SAGAFLOR and TASPO Awards show how important innovation and sustainability are in the field of sustainable cultivation.

Hydroponic systems offer a promising future, especially when combined with other sustainable ideas. Companies like the Marburg Garden Center are excellent examples of how new technologies can be integrated into agriculture to increase yields and protect the environment. Such approaches show how sustainable cultivation can be designed to be more resource-efficient and productive in the future.

Even though hydroponics has not yet won a main prize at the SAGAFLOR Awards, it is gaining more recognition. The advantages in terms of water efficiency, product quality, and flexibility make hydroponics an exciting option for the future of sustainable cultivation. Moreover, hydroponics can be easily combined with other eco-friendly methods to solve many of today’s agricultural challenges.