Brq Dagfa Inka Mahadika and Serafim Ezra Maharani*
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Kentingan, Surakarta, 57126, Central Java, Indonesia
*Corresponding author: serafimezra@student.uns.ac.id
As global food systems confront the converging pressures of population growth, climate change, soil degradation, and urban expansion, hydroponic agriculture has emerged as a transformative alternative to conventional farming. By eliminating the need for soil and enabling precise environmental and nutrient control, hydroponic systems offer superior efficiency in water and land use, higher yields per unit area, and year-round production. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the classification of hydroponic systems, agronomic and environmental benefits, integration into sustainable and circular food systems, economic feasibility, and barriers to adoption. It explores hydroponics’ role in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and its application in both commercial and small-scale urban farming. The article identifies key challenges energy demands, technical complexity, nutrient management, and policy gaps and outlines research priorities for microbial interactions, sustainable substrates, and life cycle assessments. It concludes by positioning hydroponics not as a universal solution, but as a strategic innovation for intensifying food production in water-scarce, land-limited, and climate-sensitive environments. Through inclusive design and integrated policy support, hydroponic agriculture can significantly contribute to building more resilient, circular, and sustainable food systems.