That is because Indian Agriculture has always been driven by variables- skilled labor, water availability, seed, soil quality, and weather. Additionally, the increase in the rate of food production has always been at the water supply’s expense. As per some estimates, over 70 percent of the freshwater sources are used up in agriculture. And, not just that, would you believe that 70 percent of the water contamination is also a result of agriculture? With technology integration in agriculture, you can grow food in the urban towns through hi-tech hydroponic farms and urban farming. Believe it or not but, hydroponic farming is slowly becoming the potent solution to enhancing nutrition besides dealing with food chain supply disruptions.

Why is Hydroponics farming a better model of business in India?

The reasons behind the global and widespread adaptability of Hydroponics in India lie in its multitude of advantages. For instance, this farming method requires very little labor but delivers higher yields. Plants grow faster in comparison to regular farms.

Another potential of this farming lies in the fact that there are multiple cycles of crops in a single season. Hydroponics uses less water, which is around 20% of the amount you use in the conventional cropping methods.

Another critical positive of this soilless farming method is that it can be implemented in a limited space. Moreover, the plants you grow are not dependent on the external weather as you control the ambient temperature manually.

In a country like India, hydroponics is no less than a blessing in disguise because we all know that agriculture here is heavily dependent on monsoons. Hydroponics farmers can grow out-of-season crops, provide a tremendous amount of food, and spoil consumers’ nutritional choices.

You have to stack the plants vertically because the surface area does not limit this farming method.  If you want to grow condiments and herbs, there is nothing as profitable and practical as hydroponics farming. As you can produce your crops indoors and there are slim chances of a pest attack.

We all know how the Indian west coast is the worst affected due to the locust attacks. Lastly, seeds do not have to thrust through the soil mechanically. Thus, hydroponics facilitates less crop growth time and less maturation.

This technology is promising and gaining traction, but the initial setup costs can be slightly higher. However, all these infrastructural costs like that of the structure, sensors, water pumps, grow lights, and plumbing system, are one-time costs.

DID YOU KNOW? The central Government in India is promoting subsidies to hydroponic farms. And, we are glad to let you know that we have indeed come a long way. We believe that this technology will gain widespread acceptance.

What goes behind the setup?

A hydroponic setup includes the following:

• Germination tray
• Clay ball
• Seeds
• Reservoir
• Growing medium
• Delivery system
• Nutrient solution
• Air pump
• Climate control

Hydroponics farming setups can be both passive and active. Active signifies that a pump will move the nutrient solutions. Passive is wick-based or growing media’s anchor. The hydroponic systems can be categorized as non-recovery and recovery. Recovery means you will be able to reuse the nutrient solution back into the system, while non-recovery means applying the solution to the growth media. The nutrient solution’s management and its application to hydroponics plants fall into two fundamental categories.

Closed systems will re-circulate the nutrient mix from moment to moment, while open systems will not re-circulate the mix. The closed systems include both sophisticated and straightforward hydroponics setups, and here they are:

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

This system involves a continuous solution film of the nutrients that flow over the thriving roots. That results in forming a thin nutrient solution film around the plants’ roots, supplying both nutrients access and aeration.

Ebb and Flow

Ebb and Flow systems is the most popular hydroponic set up as it is low cost and low maintenance. Farmers use this system for potted plants and plug production. In this hydroponics system, you flood the growing bed with nutrient mix and then let it drain. The nutrient flooding frequency and duration depend on factors like plant requirements, water, container size, and the growth medium used.

Wicking

This hydroponics setup is a passive one. Here a wick runs from the plant container’s base right down to a reservoir. Later, it fetches the solution upwards up to the developing crops.

Deep Water Culture (DWC)

One of the easiest hydroponics system setups has to be the DWC. In this setup, the hydroponics plants are directly suspended in a nutrient mix enriched with oxygen.

Conclusion

Hydroponics farming has indeed gained popularity in India largely because the traditional farming methods have become non-remunerative. Soil is less fertile and water is scarce thus many new-age startups have entered into the hydroponics farming space and aim to keep up the food production despite the water crisis. With proprietary technology in place and by controlling the important parameters associated with this soilless farming method, Indians are effortlessly growing crops like carrots, gourds, and brinjals.

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This system will control variables like light, nutrient concentration, carbon dioxide, humidity, and temperature. The best part about CEA is that it uses simple low-tech and hi-tech systems. Now, let us all find out what the different CEA types and the 9 benefits of protective cultivation to know CEA even better.

Various CEA forms are listed down below:

Aquaponics

This one is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. Water is re-circulated and water from the aquatic organisms is utilized for the growth of plants.

Vertical Farming

A crop production technique that makes use of vertical space is called vertical farming. You can stack the plants in tall towers or horizontally. This farming style is excellent for small spaces like high-density spaces and shipping containers as you require less land for cultivation.

Hydroponics

This method is one of the best ways to grow plants using water rich in nutrients and without soil. You basically submerge the roots in the water directly in a growth medium.

Protected Cultivation / Cropping

Protected cropping is a type of CEA. In this method, you can grow crops outdoors with protection against elements like canopies, tunnel houses, and beneath hoop houses.

Here are the benefits of protected cultivation :

1.Production of genetically better and disease-free transplants

Protected farming is associated with uniform, healthy and disease-free plant material. This planting material presents better hardening and enhanced germination percentages. That is because disease-free, clean and inert substrate is used all through the world to produce greenhouse cucumbers and tomatoes. You can be completely assured of genetically better transplants that are free of diseases.

Fact to know: the frame of the structure used in protected cultivation safeguards the different crops from several damaging factors. These include chemical and physical deterioration, climate moisture, soil, snow, rain and wind.

2. Produce fruit crops, vegetables and flowers all year round

There is nothing called off season in protected cultivation. Thus, that means that this farming method is a lot more rewarding economically. You can grow veggies and fruits even in the off season. Net-houses, walk-in tunnels and shade have made possible year-round production of veggies.

Fact to know: Are you worried that about not getting tomatoes, summer squash or cucumbers in the winters? It is time to stop worrying and start filling your big shoppers. That is because, everything from tomatoes to okras are now available with protected cultivation.

3. Higher crop yield and enhanced productivity

Techniques of protected cultivation increase the crop yield. Do you know how? Higher density of plants by close planting increases yields of veggies and fruits tremendously

you are controlling the micro climate surrounding the body of the plant fully or partially as per the requirement of plant species. Like for instance, if you use low plastic tunnels early nurseries of flowering annuals and veggies can be increased.

4. Promotes quality and high value horticultural produce

With protected cultivation you can always expect high value horticultural produce of cherries, capsicum and muskmelons. If you are wondering how then the credit goes to the net houses. These houses make help in reducing the adverse effects of rains, and scorching sun in herbs, ornamentals and veggies.

Fact to know: If you are a fan of colored capsicums then there is nothing like protective cultivation for growing the cool season crop. In just 4-5 months you can get 20-40 tons of colored bell peppers. The insect-free net houses ensure virus-free cultivation.

5. Minimizes the use of pesticides

Protected cultivation encompasses a sustainable approach. The poly house helps in changing the micro climate hence certain insects cannot enter.

Fact to know: Insects that get attracted because of UV light cannot enter because of the opaque UV covering. Consequently, there is minimum use of pesticides and insecticides.

6. Enhances productivity per unit area

With perfect plant environment control and appropriate structures like glasshouse, you can expect year-round cultivation.

Fact to know: with protected cultivation you can have 25-100 percent productivity. And, in some cases, even more.

7. Minimum infestation by weeds and efficient use of water

Protected cultivation prevents the growth of weeds as you control the temperature conditions by using several structures. These can be low tunnels, shade net house, polyhouse and a greenhouse. With no weed growth there is higher uptake of micro-nutrients by the active zone of the roots. This process conserves soil moisture and thereby reduces the requirement of irrigation water.

Fact to know: protected cultivation acts a smart barrier to soil pathogens thus you can never find any weed growth in your crops.

8. No abiotic or biotic stress to plants

As you may know, plants are sessile. They cannot escape any kind of biotic or abiotic stresses. Biotic stresses are caused by living organisms like fungi, weed and abiotic stress is linked with the environment’s physiographic, edaphic and climatic conditions. However, protected cultivation is one such cropping technique that preserves plants from all kinds of stresses.

Fact to know: A controlled environment saves the crops from insects that love UV or harsh climatic conditions. Hence, you can enjoy an year-round cultivation besides off-season crop production as well.

9. Grow medicinal and rare plants

Protected cultivation lets you modify the natural environment thus you can achieve optimum growth of plants. You can make modifications both in the root and aerial environment hence the crop yields increase. This means a greenhouse technique like protected cultivation will let you cultivate a wide variety of herbs/orchids and other medicinal plants.

Protected cultivation : The best open field production?

Protected cultivation is enabling cultivators to produce several folds of great quality veggies and fruits. You can forget about climatic and biological constraints. It is all about skillfully adopting the needful practices with exactness and you can grow your own crop, come what may!

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This means that pestilence, wind, cloud cover, cold, heat, and humidity are not under your control. So, what do we do? How about going soilless? Hydroponics is the potent solution. You must be thinking, how? Well, read on to find out.

• Combats climate change
• Crops grown are easier to control
• Reduces species extinction and environmental damage caused by intensive farming and overexploitation
• More rational use of the scarcer resource: water
• Crops grown are more profitable

There are definitely no two ways about why traditional agriculture methods are such an art. But hydroponics is the science in which every element determines the growth of plants in a controlled manner. Have all these facts energized you about this gardening method? Read on to know the top 14 benefits of having a hydroponic farm or garden.

1. Grow green galore!

A hydroponic garden can present you with a wide variety of green plants. If you think of growing any kind of herb or leafy green, this method is one fantastic way to do that.

Are you wondering what all you can grow? Everything from flowers to chamomile, catnip, pepper, zucchini, mint, and tomato can be grown effortlessly. If you are a weight watcher who has to survive on salads, we say grow parsley, thyme, romaine lettuce, kale, arugula, iceberg lettuce, spinach, and butterhead with absolute ease!

2. Soil Less Farming method is water-saving

Everyone knows that agriculture ends up using a whole lot of water. There is also no running away from the fact that water is the world’s most treasured resource. Yet, for traditional agriculture, you need an endless supply of that. But fret not, we say. A soil-less farming method eases the burden on the water supply. Here’s how.

• Your plants are rooted in an inert medium of growth
• An in-line pump circulates water enriched with nutrients through the plant’s root system
• You employ overhead lighting, which permits plants to finish their photosysnthesis cycle
• Inert growing media lets you exact the fertilizer amount you will use
• As a result, the roots of your plants get more oxygen

3. No acres of land required

The most notable benefit of soil less farming is that you need a fraction of the footprint to grow the plants of your choice. Agriculture ties up a particular land amount for a specified duration. With hydroponics, you have multiple options. Limited space either in your alleyway, front yard, or backyard will let you produce significant quantities of food. You can grow them in any area, be it a soil-less place, a nutrient-deficient soil region, water-logged, or snow-capped soil area.

4. Soil Less Farming Facilitates microclimate

The hydroponic systems offer you complete control over the climate you need to grow your crops. You will be in complete control of adjusting the air, carbon dioxide, humidity, light, and temperature. The best part – you can adjust the nutrient concentrations as per the requirements of different greens and veggies.

5. Soil Less Farming provides enhanced quality of the produce

Growing plants hydroponically enhances the taste and quality of the produce. That is because the entire system uses clean water and high-quality nutrients in a controlled environment. For this reason, the greens you grow in a hydroponic system taste better and are also more nutritious.

6. Excellent pH control

pH is the determining factor when it comes to gardening or farming. Any plant grows well in acidic or neutral media. If you are growing your plants in soil, you need to add some organic matter or acidic fertilizer. But your hydroponic garden only requires a little bit of pH buffer solution.  

7. Efficient nutrient supply

When you adopt a hydroponic system, you can supply nutrients with loads of accuracy and precision. Plants do not have to invest time to develop their root systems to search for nutrients. All they have to do is focus on growing efficiently and faster. The nutrients will be delivered into the reservoir of water supply and then circulated round the clock. This method will let the plants absorb nutrients effectively without any development of waste.

8. Consistency and faster rate of growth

One of the most popular benefits of hydroponics is a faster rate of growth. That means you can get your hands on your harvest sooner. Since you are in complete control of resource usage, you are the one who creates an optimal environment for growth. With hydroponic plants growing 40-50 percent faster, you can grow your greens within no time.

9. Minimal restrictions

When you grow a hydroponic garden, you come across minimal restrictions in terms of location and space. That is because this method is all about controlled conditions of growth and compact size. The best part about hydroponics is your ability to grow many plants in a soil-less arrangement compared to an open field.

10. Forget herbicides and pesticides

Conventional farming requires a whole lot of herbicides and insecticides for the successful growth of crops. After all, this farming method exposes crops to multiple climatic conditions that support weeds and pest infestation. On the other hand, a hydroponic garden does not use soil; hence, there are no pest attacks and flaring up of weeds. Thus, you can sell your produce without any pesticide residue.

11. Soil Less Farming is Friendly for the environment

If you ever look at the land-use statistics, you may have undergone a massive cardiac attack. Would you believe that pastures and forests are cleared for farming every year to feed the increasing number of people? Well, hydroponics will help in lessening the impact. Hydroponics does not emit any toxins and performs better in limited space. You do not have to fear considerable amounts of water being used, land erosion, or harsh climates.

12. No weeds, diseases, or pests

Many pests and diseases are born in soil. These two together infest your garden during the growing process. Weed is another sneaky thing that can take place. Weed seeds may remain dormant and suddenly regrow once there are favourable growth conditions. But hydroponic farming does not scare you with such an ambush. In soil-less conditions, you are saved from the trouble of battling weeds and diseases of pests.

13. Very simple

Of course, hydroponic farming is not simple per se, but it is easy. That is because you can grow your garden without any generational knowledge passed down to you. You also do not need truckloads of capital, rather a little bit of research, and you are good to go.

14. No such thing as seasonality or predictability

Have you ever bought something as basic as beans in the summer season? Have you noticed the price difference from winters? This price difference is an outcome of lack of harvest and seasonality. French beans are cheaper in winters because they grow well in winters but during summers, it is a tough task to buy them at the same price.

Thus, hydroponics comes into the foray and guarantees reliability and consistency in crop production. You can enter into long-term contracts with farmers maintaining a fixed price. Hence, it is a win/win situation for both the buyer and the farmer as hydroponics mitigates risks.

Soil Less Farming is the way to be

Our population is growing geometrically, and the production of food is growing exponentially. We really need to rethink how billions of people will be fed by 2050. When hydroponics can make anyone a food producer all year-round then why not turn to that? Grow your own mint and make your own mojito!

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Hydroponics can be defined as ‘Growing plants in water smart solutions in place of soil, meaning: soil-less cultivation of plants’. Here, soil does not serve as an anchor to the plants; the roots are brought in direct contact with the nutrient medium. The plants are provided with enormous oxygen in order to fasten the growth of the plants. And this characteristic of hydroponics, that is, quick growth of plants serves as the most remarkable benefit for adoption. This cultivation offers various other advantages over the traditional method which are as follows.

• Uses scientific and calculated methods for growing crops.
• Considers the specific requirements of single plant.
• Controls the nutrition profile of the plant.
• Eliminates use of pesticides.
• Hydroponic farms are located near large cities, providing the consumers with fresh produce.
• Eliminates all soil-borne pests due to its characteristic of soil-less nature
• Use of high quality, pre-treated purified water, the produce is safe for consumption in every single way.
• Offers completely residue-free produce to the consumers.

There are various types of hydroponics systems available based on ease of setting-up, of which seven are commonly used commercially. These systems are:

1. Wick System

Wick system remains the simplest system of hydroponic production technology that can be used to grow plants; it can be practically used by anyone. The wick system eliminates the use of aerators, pumps, or electricity. It can be said that it is the only hydroponic system that doesn’t require the use of electricity. The plants are placed directly in an absorbent substance such as perlite, vermiculite etc. Nylon wicks are used to cover the plant before being sent into the nutrient solution. This system is best for small garden plants and herbs. Plants requiring comparatively less water requirement is grown using this system.

2. Deep Water Culture

Deep water culture system is a simple hydroponic system that places the plant directly in the nutrient solution. This system makes use of diffuser or air stone to pump oxygen into the nutrient medium.

The best part of this system is that the plant roots are directly in touch with the nutrient medium making easy absorption of nutrients by the plants resulting in quick growth. The system is suitable for any kind of plant irrespective of their size.

3. Recirculating Deep Water System

Recirculating deep water system covers the shortcomings of the traditional or normal system. This system doesn’t drain out the nutrient solution, meaning , the solution keeps on circulating throughout the structure. Buckets or containers used are linked to a large central reservoir and the nutrient media is circulated from one bucket to another. The system requires simple addition of water, oxygen followed by calibration of the reservoir.

4. N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technology)

NFT is the widely used measurable method of hydroponics system and it consist of tubes of channels arranged side by side in rows.It includes a large central reservoir containing nutrient solution from where the contents are pumped into slightly slanted channels. This helps in the flow back of excess solution into the reservoir. The nutrient solution flows over the roots of each plant, thereby providing required amount of nutrients.

The system is usually used in the cultivation of lettuce and it gives best results for light-weight, fast growing crops.

• Flat Bed NFT System

In this type of NFT, the channel is placed parallel to each other with same elevation from the ground.

• A Frame System

In this type, the channels are arranged in a structure resembling ‘A’ where plants are placed in channels one upon the other. This system accommodates more plants than flat bed type at same space.

5. Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)

The Ebb and Flow system is mostly used for home gardens. Here, the plants are kept in large grow beds made of growth medium like rockwool or perlite. After planting, the grow bed is flooded with nutrient-rich solution till the solution reaches a few inches below the top layer of bed preventing the overflow of the solution.

The water pump is fitted with a timer which ensures switching on and off of the pump at regular intervals. After flooding the bed with nutrient solution, the water is

drained out from the bed reverting it back into the pump. This system is applicable to almost all types of crops including root crops.

6. Drip Systems

Drip systems are highly effective and easy-to-use hydroponic systems that are capable of making alterations suiting different types of plants. Here, the nutrient media is circulated to a drip system and is pumped into a tube which directs the solution to the plant base. A drip emitter placed at the end of each tube which controls the amount of solution supplied to the plant. The flow of the solution can be adjusted according to individual plant requirements.

Drip systems can be of circulating or re-circulating type. Circulating systems drip almost constantly and extra solution will be sent back into the reservoir. Due to possibility of alteration, these systems are used to grow any plant.

7. Dutch Bucket System

In Dutch Bucket system, plants are lined in a row placed in buckets with 1-2plants in one bucket. Drip hoses connected to the water line which runs throughout the length of the system from the water pump are placed at each plant using drip emitters, creating a constant drip.

The system is especially useful for the cultivation of vine plants as well as large plants.

8. Vertical Hydroponic System

Here, the plants are grown in stacks or towers. A single tower can easily hold dozens of plants, stacked one on top of the other, and all being fed nutrients through the same system. In this method farms take up 99% less land, making them easier fit in greenhouses.

In vertical hydroponic systems up to 90 percent water is saved effectively. The closed system prevents draining and indoor cultivation in greenhouses can reduce pests, diseases, and issues related to fickle weather. The system could use natural light or LED lights in a greenhouse.

Conclusion

The technology of Hydroponics put forward a bright The future for crop cultivation which at present, is facing various challenges including pest resurgence, pesticide resistance, poor soil fertility, desertification, unavailability of water for irrigation and degraded arable land. The most notable problem faced by the farming community is the ever changing and unpredictable weather. Taking all these concerns into account, the all in one solution remains the adoption of hydroponics since the crops in here are grown in controlled, soil- less environment eliminating the chances of climatic challenges, pest attack (soil-borne) and unavailability of land. The technology could also reduce the incidences of soil and water pollution to a large extend. This system also is proven to be highly efficient in saving water, thus giving new dimensions to farming, revolutionizing the conventional ideology of agriculture.  

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