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Hydroponics

Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather
than soil, and can include an aggregate substrate, or growing media, such as vermiculite,
coconut coir, or perlite. Hydroponic production systems are used by small farmers, hobbyists,
and commercial enterprises.
According to USDA: "Growing plants in water culture or sand culture without soil are
procedures that have been used by physiologists studying plant nutrition and by other plant
scientists for more than a century." (Growing Crops Without Soil. Beltsville, MD: USDA, rev
1965.)

Materials required:
Hydroponic produce can be grown in a home, apartment, greenhouse or office space. The six
things needed are light, air, water, nutrients, heat and space.
Other required materials are Hydroponics, Nutrient film technique, Wick system,
Hydroponics system accessories, Growing medium, PH medium, Aeroponics, Liquid
fertilisers, Grow lights, Nutrients, Ebb and flow, Submersible pump, Net pots, Air stone,
Hydrocycle nft Hydroponic channel, Boron, Light, Water, Growing table, Growing chamber,
Timer, Measuring beaker, Pump, Water basin

Method Of Hydroponics:
Here’s are the top 5 hydroponic growing methods, starting with the systems recommended
for beginners:

1. Wick System
This is the simplest system, because there are no moving parts. Instead, wicks
are run from the nutrient solution reservoir to the bottom of the grow trays
where the roots are located. Since the supply is constant, the bigger the plants,
the faster the nutrients will be absorbed.
2. Water Culture
Plants are suspended above the nutrient solution reservoir, usually by
Styrofoam, so that the roots remain submerged 24/7. However, this
inexpensive system requires an air pump to provide air and oxygen to the roots
in order to prevent them from suffocating.
3. Drip System
This is the most widely used hydroponic system in the world. A timer controls
a pump that delivers the nutrient solution at a constant rate, from the reservoir
to the top of the growing medium where its absorbed by both the roots and the
medium. The excess solution then trickles back down to the reservoir for reuse.
4. Ebb and Flow
Also known as the flood and drain system, when the timer turns on the pump
floods the grow tray with the nutrient solution from the reservoir. When the
timer shuts off, the nutrient solution drains back into the reservoir. This is done
periodically, rather than continuously.
5. Nutrient Film Technique
This system provides a constant flow of nutrient solution to plants through a
shallow stream of water. Much like the workings of a conveyor belt the
solution is pumped downwards into the growing tray, flowing over the roots.
The solution then drains back into the reservoir and the cycle continues.

Procedure for Hydroponics:


Choose a container and assemble an air pump in it to fill water and nutrients and adjust PH in
the container. Reserve water in the container and assemble the hydroponics system

Hydroponics plants are placed in channels having a slope, the mineral solution is pumped to
the high end of the channel and slope down water is collected and reused.

Plants with large roots are grown in this method. Plants are sown in coconut coir and placed
in planting trays after a few weeks of germination they are transferred to net pots and kept in
channels.

Uses of Hydroponics:

The advantages of hydroponics are Less Water, Fewer pesticides, Higher Yield, Less space,
Nutrient Control, No weeds, No soil erosion, Fully organic produce, low labour requirement,
Fewer pest problems, Compact crops, Better growth rate, Healthier plants.

Crops grown in Hydroponics:

Crops that are grown in hydroponics are Lettuce, Spinach, Tomato, Basil, Strawberries,
Cucumbers, Peppers, Cilantro, Herbs, Leafy greens, Chives, kale, Beans, Microgreens,
Blueberries, Scallion, Celery, Radish, Mint, Beetroot.

Schemes for Hydroponics (Govt and Central):

The national horticulture board of India provides a hydroponics farm subsidy called Scheme-
1 known as Development of commercial Horticulture through Horticulture crop production
and post harvest management.

The central and state govt of India have subsidised investment costs for farmers wishing to
invest in hydroponics. The subsidy applicable varies from state to state. The Maharashtra
govt has provided a 50% subsidy to farmers for adopting hydroponics for animal feed.

For getting the details of the respective state, farmers need to visit the NHB website and find
out and avail of the subsidies and schemes available in their states.

Some of the other schemes are:

ANGRAU poshan incubator is likely to fund upto 15 lakhs for hydroponics.

RKYV offers 10-15 lakhs for hydroponics

Startup India offers 20-30 lakhs for Hydroponics

Venture Capitalist from different companies like syngenta ventures, Cavallo ventures,
Aavishkar ventures, Bloom ventures, Ag startup engine LLC offers 70 lakhs to 2.5 Cr
depending on the hydroponics unit.

Market offers for Hydroponics


Market research, the Global Hydroponics Market is valued at USD 35.2 Billion in 2022 and
is projected to reach a value of USD 58.3 Billion by 2030 at a CAGR (compound annual
growth rate) of 7.5% between 2023 and 2030.

Demand for Hydroponics:

India’s hydroponics market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.53%
between 2020 and 2027. In comparison the growth in the global hydroponic industry is
estimated at just 6.8% . There is a huge demand for organic hydroponics crops in metro and
tier 1 cities. This market of products of hydroponic farming in india consists of consumers
who are health conscious and will readily pay a premium for organically grown produce that
is fresh, safe, and healthy. With the current growth rate, the cost of setting up such farms had
gone down and will reduce further over a period of time. This will further increase the
adoption of the technique, and with the market already having a demand for such products,
this can be a new and upcoming form of business in the near future.

Reference:

https://www.nal.usda.gov

https://en.wikipedia.org

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