Underwater Farming Grows Crops in Half the Time

After three years of experimentation, Sergio Gamberini may have just discovered an agricultural breakthrough in a completely unconventional way – about 20 feet below sea level. In collaboration with Italy’s Center for Agricultural Experimentation and Assistance of Savona (CERSSA), the Italian entrepreneur and scuba diver is calling his collection of underwater greenhouses Nemo’s Garden. The submerged farms thrive in the high levels of carbon dioxide inside the air pocket of the dome structure, feed off of the condensation of sea water, and is close enough to the surface to still receive sunlight. Growing in half the time it takes on land, researchers suspect the pressure created underwater may actually spur the rapid growth rate of the plants. The initial biospheres are situated off the coast of Nolu, Italy where the land is not conducive to traditional farming methods. Using compost for soil and the humid environment of the domes, over 15 crops including basil, peas, radishes, lettuce, and even strawberries grow without threat from bugs and animals thus eliminating the need for pesticides and barriers making Nemo’s Garden a great possible alternative to organic farming.