answer:I think it all depends on how you are farming and what you are growing. There are different approaches to hydroponics and farming in soil. I don’t think you have greater control with hydroponics. In both cases, you can monitor nutrient levels and take measures to ensure that the appropriate nutrients are there. The soil shouldn’t be going anywhere. If it is, you have an erosion problem that needs to be mitigated. To me, it is just the medium that differs – water vs soil. Hydroponics can be water intensive. Perhaps it is more convenient to maintain control over nutrient levels with hydroponics since you are simply adding stuff to water, whereas with soil you have to test, till, rotate crops, etc. Pesticides aren’t necessarily required. They are used for efficiency’s sake I think and to save labor costs. I have also heard this about produce lacking nutrients. I’m not sure that the government monitors this. There may be a few studies done, but I can’t imagine that all farms are monitored closely. There are too many, and a LOT of produce is imported from other countries. Plus, I think nutrient levels in harvested produce change over time…. I hope someone else here knows more about this. Great question.