How to Start Hydroponic Gardening

Hydroponic Gardening – Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) refers to the hydroponic technique in which a thin film of hydroponic nutrients contained in water (Nutrients Solution) passes through the gullies/ channels in such a way that the roots of the plants touch the nutrient solution rather than getting submerged in it, ensuring that the plant roots not only get the essential nutrients but required oxygen as well.

The nutrient solution is replenished and recirculated in most of the NFT hydroponic systems.  Application of Nutrient Film Technique has revolutionised hydroponic gardening particularly commercial or industrial hydroponic farming as its application has evolved into hydroponic vertical gardening, making possible to utilize vertical space of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).  Successful operationalization of NFT systems for profitable hydroponic gardening requires that the concerned farmer or aspiring entrepreneur must have undergone end to end operational training at a state-of-the-art hydroponic farming plant factory such as the one available at School of Horticulture, Institute of Horticulture Technology, Greater Noida India.

How to Start Hydroponic Gardening as a Beginner

Most beginners venturing into hydroponic production are interested to take up hydroponic farming at home, however, an entrepreneur willing to undertake a start-up may opt for bigger unit.

Therefore, all beginners must be clear of the scale the hydroponic system they would require to install.   Establishment of a hydroponic garden, that is to say setting up a soilless production system for vegetables and herbs begins with taking a number of decisions such as what plants are to be grown; what type of hydroponic system to be deployed; Whether to buy or build one’s own hydroponic system; Whether a pre-mix of the nutrient solution to be used or one would like to install one’s own system for supply of nutrient solution and most importantly the source of light, whether natural of LED.

Hydroponic gardening is knowledge based and prior to beginning at any scale one must go for an end-to-end training programme at a place where hydroponic production facilities based on contemporary technologies are fully operative and one has the possibility of obtaining hands on training. School of Hydroponics of the Institute of Horticulture Technology is one such hydroponic farming centre in India as provides a range of fully operational hydroponic systems from the simplest home model to indoor vertical farming systems for the trainees to operate and learn from under expert guidance.  A beginner must understand that Hydroponic farms are profitable only when these are started with complete knowledge and training and an appropriate tie up for marketing of the hydroponic produce is in place.

Initial installation cost, energy and fertilizers costs must be accounted while working the profitability of a particular hydroponic farming system.   In case one is hobbyist or wants to produce for home consumption, installation of a small system may be advisable.

How to Become a Skilled Hydroponic Grower?

Benefits of hydroponic farming such as highest water and fertilizer use efficiency, vertical space use efficiency, year-round production, pesticides residue and pathogen free safe food, freedom from the risks of climate change as well as fast turnover of produce irrespective of climate, season and geographic region has aroused the interest of many entrepreneurs, corporate houses, farmers, other stake holders and organizations in hydroponic farming.

Hydroponic farming due to being knowledge based and having practiced as Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in small area, hydroponic food growing skills may be acquired over a short time frame provided one opts for a hydroponic training centre of real good standing with modern infrastructure and competent trainers such as the those available at School of Hydroponics Greater Noida.

Thus, undergoing an end-to-end training on state-of-the-art hydroponic plant under the guidance of best national and international hydroponic expert mentors at Institute of Horticulture Technology, School of Hydroponics, Greater Noida would turn a beginner into a skilled hydroponic grower in shortest time. Whatever may be the scale of hydroponic growing one is interested in, starting from roof top hydroponics for domestic use to commercial or industrial hydroponic farming, hydroponic courses at School of Hydroponics of the Institute of Horticulture Technology fit into the requirement of all types of stake holders.

Industrial Hydroponic Farming Leads to Transformation of Urban Horticulture (UF)

There are a number of systems and models available for growing plants without soil. Whether using inert neutral substrates or growing plants just in nutrient solution alone, hydroponics is the basis of all these soilless plant growing systems.

No matter what hydroponic system one opts for, nutrient solution remains the soul and integral part of all hydroponic systems. Role of hydroponics coupled with the use of sensors, LED lights and vertical farming has led to transformation of Urban Horticulture in the recent times.

The Vertical Farming Hydroponics when practiced under controlled environment on a large scale for a specified product like vegetables or herbs is generally referred to as Industrial Hydroponic Farming.  Vertical Farming Hydroponic Systems operating for the production of a specific horticultural produce under controlled environment are now generally referred to as plant factories.

School of Hydroponics of Institute of Horticulture Technology has different models of hydroponics farming systems starting from the simplest home scale models to fully automated plant factory designed for mass scale production of leafy vegetables. This unique combination of state-of-the-art infrastructure and more than thirteen years of experience in hydroponics sets us apart from others when it comes to capacity building or entrepreneur development in hydroponics farming in India.