Hydroponic Farming: Need of the hour during pandemic and its growing trend in India

Agriculture in India has all the time been ruled by variables – climate, high quality of soil and seed, availability of water, expert labour, and so forth.

By Shivendra Singh,

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has made everybody housebound. Proper after the announcement of the lockdown, folks rushed to grocery shops to replenish shelf-stable gadgets like packed, frozen meals and different necessities. That’s when many Indians realised the necessity for diet, well being outcomes of meals and the way vulnerably it’s depending on provide chain and local weather change.

Then again, scientists are stressing over the previous many years that human actions are pushing life in direction of catastrophe. The steep surge within the demand for meals manufacturing, transportation and processing are placing huge strain on the planet. In keeping with the World Financial Discussion board, the worldwide inhabitants is predicted to achieve almost 10 billion by 2050, making the requirement of meals 60 % greater than it’s right this moment. The report additionally means that there might be a scarcity of arable land to satisfy this burgeoning demand for meals manufacturing.

The anticipated situation of meals requirement and shortages spurred many Indians to think about planting greens of their yard or rooftop. This has enabled folks to put money into excessive tech city farming programs and produce contemporary greens extra effectively.

The Revolution of Hydroponic Farming

Agriculture in India has all the time been ruled by variables – climate, high quality of soil and seed, availability of water, expert labour, and so forth. Moreover, the rise in meals manufacturing in India has all the time been on the expense of the water provide. As per the estimates, round 70 % of the world’s freshwater is used for agriculture, alternatively, 70percent of water contamination additionally comes from agriculture. With the combination of expertise in agriculture, it has turn into simpler to develop meals in cities via city farming or high-tech hydroponic farms. That is changing into key to enhancing diet and coping with the disruptions within the meals provide chain.

Hydroponic has been round for many years however with the efforts of new-age agritech startups, it’s evolving into modern city farming strategies. Hydroponic farming which merely means rising contemporary greens and fruits in nutrient-rich water as an alternative of soil requires much less house and assets. Based mostly on modernised methods, soil-less farming ends in greater productiveness in a managed local weather and with no threat of the assault of the pests and bugs. Agritech startups in market are offering each attainable assist for hydroponic farming arrange. For the primary time in India, few agritech startups are offering Purchase Again possibility for the hydroponic produce in addition to Financial institution Gurantee. It can additional enhance the hydroponic farming method within the nation.

Given the current ‘keep at residence’ situation, hydroponic farming is steadily changing into a family development in India.The hydroponic programs are designed in a approach that present more healthy, contemporary and extra nutritious produce with longer shelf life. The expertise helps in saving worthwhile water, land and labour assets that additional creates an environment friendly ecosystem. Furthermore, the managed rising system allows the manufacturing of meals with no use of dangerous chemical compounds leading to 100% residue-free farming.

Immunity has turn into the brand new buzzword

The pandemic had made it obligatory to grasp the significance of enough diet to maximise their well being, enhance immunity and cut back the danger and affect of the virus. Having a powerful and resilient immune system is the necessity of the hour. Thus, the devastating aftermath of the pandemic needs to be a catalyst to broaden our style, data and consciousness and contribute to constructing a extra environment friendly and sustainable meals system.

Often, human beings underestimate the ability of excellent selections and particular person behavioural change in making a more healthy meals system. Adopting a hydroponic farming system helps align the meals habits with the wellbeing of the planet and helps folks flip from being ‘junk foodies’ to real chemical-free meals lovers. In consequence, it helps customers turn into extra involved in regards to the atmosphere and reshape their consuming habits to cut back the vulnerability of the illness.

Bottomline

Hydroponic farming is flourishing in India. One of many main elements driving its development can be the expertise curve that diminishes prices and helps in scaling its operations. Additional, integration of Synthetic Intelligence and Knowledge Analytics measure vital indicators that assist in meals/crop planning and therefore assist join within the meals safety ecosystem. Moreover the technological elements, the necessity for creating a better and inexperienced market in extremely populous nations additionally creates house for hydroponic farming (rooftop or vertical farming) to develop as a development.

(The creator is Founder, Barton Breeze, India’s Quickest Rising Business Hydroponic Farm Specialist. Views expressed are private and don’t mirror the official place or coverage of the Monetary Specific On-line.)