Landless agriculture is no longer a thing of the future. In recent months, Several projects in Spain and Chile have demonstrated that the Hydroponics It can be a cost-effective and sustainable alternative. to produce food in environments where soil is scarce or water is a limited resource. From an industrial warehouse in Madrid to the Atacama Desert, technology is transforming the way we farm.
The common denominator of these experiences is the combination of hydroponic systems with innovations such as automated control, water desalination, and support from public entities. The Madrid-based startup Tierra, the group of producers from Antofagasta, and the Corfo program in Tarapacá These are three examples that, although they operate on different continents, share similar objectives and methodologies.
Technological innovation in Madrid
In the Spanish capital, the company Tierra has launched a model of smart farms in enclosed spaces. Its TierraOS operating system controls variables such as artificial lighting, humidity, and nutrientsAutomating irrigation and harvesting to adjust production to demand and avoid losses. The company originated from research at Carlos III University and won the Madrid Emprende award, which allowed it to set up operations in a warehouse at the Vicálvaro Industrial Park, provided by the Madrid City Council.
Tierra recently closed a €400.000 funding round, with support from private investors and a participating loan from ENISA. The founders are working on two patents focused on biosecurity and efficient water recirculationand plan to expand the production capacity of the Madrid center, strengthen R&D and create a network of zero-kilometer urban farms based on the vertical farmingIn the medium term, the company plans to expand into European markets such as Portugal and France.
Success in the Chilean desert
On the other side of the Atlantic, in the Antofagasta Region, seven producers specializing in hydroponics have managed to exceed $100 million in sales during 2025. Their secret has been combining hydroponics with desalinated water and solar panelsThis allows them to cultivate crops year-round in one of the driest regions on the planet. The project, located in Altos La Portada, received technical assistance and funding from the Institute for Agricultural Development (INDAP), and made the leap to commercialization by becoming suppliers to the Chilean government through the Framework Agreement for Food.
The experience has sparked interest from other locations in northern Chile, such as Calama or San Pedro de Atacama, which face similar water restrictions. The producers now plan to invest in a refrigerated vehicle and new equipment. to improve logistics and distribution, with a view to consolidating a model of hydroponic cultivation replicable for all of Latin America.
Seawater for coastal cultivation
In the Tarapacá region, also in Chile, the Corfo program called “Zoning, technologies and use of desalinated water in the development of hydroponic crops with nanobubbles” has entered its demonstration phase. The initiative, funded by the Regional Government and implemented by Support ConsultoresThe company has launched a web platform and a demonstration unit in the coves of Chanavayita and Caramucho. The goal is to diversify the productive activity of the Iquique coastline through the use of desalinated seawater for hydroponic crops.
Corfo's regional director, Espártago Ferrari, highlighted that the project will allow residents Develop a new source of income using cutting-edge technologyFor his part, the Regional Secretary of Agriculture, Fernando Chiffelle, emphasized that greenhouses equipped with nanobubbles represent an opportunity for coastal agriculture. The local community, through its president Luis Cortés, values the possibility of scaling this initiative into a sustainable family business. hydroponic crops at home.
These three cases share a pattern: hydroponics not only saves water and space, but also It benefits from institutional support and private investment to scale upIn Madrid, the City Council provided the space and ENISA contributed funding; in Antofagasta, INDAP offered technical assistance; in Tarapacá, Corfo and the Regional Government promoted applied research. Public-private collaboration is proving to be a key factor in hydroponics transitioning from an experimental technique to a real economic driver.
Furthermore, technology plays a central role. From TierraOS software that automates irrigation to nanobubbles that optimize water oxygenationInnovation allows for production with fewer resources and greater precision. All three projects mention reduced water consumption as a key advantage, especially in water-stressed regions.
The expansion of hydroponics continues. While Tierra prepares its leap into Portugal and France, Chilean producers are consolidating their distribution network, and the Tarapacá program is validating its model on the ground. The agriculture of the future is already here, and it's grown without soil, using recycled water and a lot of technology.What once seemed like a utopia is now a reality that generates employment, fresh food, and hope in the most unexpected places.