Soil
is the dirt on the ground that plants grow in. You can also call it earth.
El suelo es la tierra en el suelo donde crecen las plantas. También se le puede llamar tierra.
Crops are the things farmers grow, like wheat, cotton, or fruits and vegetables.
Los cultivos son las cosas que cultivan los agricultores, como el trigo, el algodón o las
frutas y verduras.
When there is little or no rain for a long period of time, it is called a drought.
Cuando llueve poco o nada durante un largo período de tiempo, se llama sequía.
If you consume something you use or eat it.
Si consumes algo que usas o lo comes.
A greenhouse is a glass building for growing crops that need warm or hot conditions.
Un invernadero es un edificio de vidrio para cultivos que necesitan condiciones cálidas
o cálidas.
Gardeners compost old or unwanted parts of food and plants to add to the soil or dirt. This helps
new plants to grow well.
Jardineros abono con piezas viejas o no deseados de alimentos y plantas para agregar
al suelo o la suciedad. Esto ayuda a que las nuevas plantas crezcan bien.
To harvest means to collect or gather crops that you have grown.
Cosechar significa recolectar o recolectar cultivos que usted haya cultivado.
If you live in an urban area, it means you live in a city or town. The opposite is a rural area, which
means in the country.
Si vives en un área urbana, significa que vives en una ciudad o pueblo. Lo contrario es
una zona rural, lo que significa en el país.
If something is standing straight up, it is vertical. If it's flat, it is horizontal.
Si algo está de pie, es vertical. Si es plano, es horizontal.
AnchorHello and welcome to our video podcast on developments in the fields of technology and the
future. In this episode, we're going to be looking at the future of farming. By the year 2025, the world
population is expected to rise to 8 billion. In order to grow enough food, it is estimated that 1 billion
hectares (that's almost 2.5 billion acres) of new land will be needed – that is, if the farming methods
that are practiced today continue. Environmentalists say something must be done if food shortages
are going to be avoided. That's why the idea of "vertical farming" is being discussed at an eco-
conference this week. Celia Hernandez, our environmental correspondent, joins me. Celia, what is
vertical farming? And where did the idea come from?
CeliaThe idea was developed by Dickson Despommier, a professor at Columbia University, back in
1999. Vertical farms are basically high-rise greenhouses that can be built in cities. So crops will be
grown indoors – and in water instead of in soil.
AnchorAnd what are the advantages of growing food in this way?
CeliaWell, supporters say it's more reliable because crops won't be affected by weather conditions
like drought or cold. It's also more environmentally friendly, because waste can be composted and
water will be recycled. And because crops will be grown, harvested, and consumed in the same
urban area, transportation costs will be greatly reduced. So in theory, food should be cheaper, too.
AnchorWell, thank you very much for your time, Celia. And thank you for watching. See you next
time!
Anchor Hello y bienvenidos a nuestro video podcast sobre desarrollos en los
campos de la tecnología y el futuro. En este episodio, vamos a ver el futuro de la
agricultura. Para el año 2025, se espera que la población mundial aumente a 8 mil
millones. Con el fin de cultivar suficientes alimentos, se estima que se
necesitarán mil millones de hectáreas (es decir, casi 2.5 mil millones de acres) de
tierra nueva, es decir, si los métodos de cultivo que se practican hoy continúan.
Los ambientalistas dicen que hay que hacer algo si se va a evitar la escasez de
alimentos. Es por eso que la idea de "agricultura vertical" se está discutiendo en
una ecoconferencia esta semana. Celia Hernández, nuestra corresponsal
ambiental, se une a mí. Celia, ¿qué es la agricultura vertical? ¿Y de dónde vino la
idea?
La idea fue desarrollada por Dickson Despommier, profesor de la Universidad de
Columbia, en 1999. Las granjas verticales son básicamente invernaderos de gran
altura que se pueden construir en las ciudades. Por lo tanto, los cultivos se
cultivarán en interiores, y en agua en lugar de en el suelo.
Ancla ¿Y cuáles son las ventajas de cultivar alimentos de esta manera?
Celia Bueno, los partidarios dicen que es más confiable porque los cultivos no se
verán afectados por las condiciones climáticas como la sequía o el frío. También
es más respetuoso con el medio ambiente, ya que los desechos pueden ser
compostados y el agua será reciclada. Y debido a que los cultivos se cultivarán,
cosecharán y consumirán en la misma área urbana, los costos de transporte se
reducirán considerablemente. Entonces, en teoría, la comida también debería ser
más barata.
Anchor Bueno, muchas gracias por tu tiempo, Celia. Y gracias por mirar. ¡Hasta
la próxima!
1. What is vertical farming?
2. How will vertical farming change the way food is grown in the future?
3. Do you think vertical farming will ever be used in your country?
2. 1. Vertical farms are high-rise greenhouses, which will be built in urban areas. The
idea was developed by Dickson Despommier in 1999.
2. In vertical farms crops will be grown indoors and in water, not outdoors in soil, as
in traditional farming. Supporters of vertical farming claim this is very environmentally
friendly because water and waste plants will be recycled.
3. I think vertical farms are a good idea for countries which have a shortage of
farming land. We don't have that problem so it is unlikely that this system of farming
will be used here.
Sample answer
The main advantage of vertical farming is that food will be grown and sold in the same
area. This means that transportation costs will be significantly reduced.
However, jobs in the transportation industry would be affected and people may lose
their jobs. One further advantage of vertical farms is.
I definitely agree that vertical farming will save a lot of money on transportation, which is better for
the environment. However, I think conventional farms also use a lot of energy because often food is
grown in heated greenhouses. Perhaps vertical farms will be no different.
