The agriculture industry is important for India’s economy, with 50% of the population working in it. Due to its significance, many technological advancements and modern approaches, such as hydroponic farming and vertical farming, are being adopted.

Do you know? The hydroponics market in India has grown significantly, reaching USD 1.4 billion in 2022 and is expected to hit USD 5.3 billion by 2031, growing at 17.6% annually from 2024 to 2031.

Hydroponic farming requires a soilless set-up that allows plants to grow with a nutrient-rich water solution.  This farming technique seems easy to manage and promotes sustainability with eco-friendly farming practices.

Starting a hydroponic farm requires serious consideration of factors like temperature, light, nutrition, humidity and others. 

In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on the basics of hydroponic farming. This will provide you with steps to start your own hydroponic farm in India.

Beginner’s Guide To Hydroponic Farming: Starting At Home Or Commercially

You can start the hydroponic system at your place by following several steps that are:-

1)- Research, Plan And Get The Right Crop To Grow

Start by researching hydroponic farming and then making a proper plan. In addition to selecting the right crop, you must also select a suitable area for the set-up.   

Deciding what crop you will grow will allow you to determine the type of hydroponic system you need, the temperature, the kind of light, and other factors. So, when you start with proper research and planning, then it will help make plant growth easier.

2)- Training

When planting plants with a hydroponic system in India, it is best to get training before setting up the systems. This short training will last a few days and will give you better insights into hydroponic set-up with its benefits.

3)- Find A Suitable Location And Set The Farm

Whether planning to start hydroponic farming at home or in a commercial space, you must find a suitable location. 

Plants growing with a hydroponic system require proper light and a suitable water supply, so select a place that has easy access to these. Also, it should be properly closed to eliminate pets and insects. 

And the ideal location you select should be near to the marketplace for easy distribution.

4)- Selected The Best-Suited Hydroponic System

Based on your crop selection, you must select the type of hydroponic systems. This selection must fulfil the factors you are looking for, which are- 

The hydroponic system you select must provide balanced nutrients to the roots, maintain the proper exchange between gas and nutrients, and be easy to set up. Also, to manage plant growth, you must have a backup in case of a power outage.

Here are the types of hydroponic systems that meet these criteria:

Types of Hydroponic Sytems:

• Nutrient film technology (NFT): This system pumps the nutrient water solution through a gully channel. It is easy to install, has low-cost maintenance, and is designed to get a fast turnaround. 
• Aeroponic system: This is one of the popular systems that promotes less water usage during plant growth. The plant receives nutrients in this system by spraying a nutrient-water solution on the roots. This system is difficult to maintain as the roots of plants are suspended in the air and require proper care.   
• Drip hydroponic system: This hydroponic farming system is easy to set up and simple. It uses a pump to maintain plants with water and supplements. This pump has a set timer to deliver the nutrient-rich water along a drip line to the plant’s roots. 
• Ebb and flow: This hydroponics system is suitable for small-scale set-up with high-density plantings. It has many growing beds filled with rock wool or perlite.  
• Deep water culture: A deep water culture hydroponic system is best for large plants, even those with extensive roots. Water in this system is oxygenated directly with a diffuser or air stone. 

5)- Components/Equipment You Needed For Hydroponic Farming

For growing plants with the hydroponic system, you will need-

• Water and water reservoir 
• Lights
• Temperature control 
• Tables and trays for plant growth 
• Pumps
• Nutrient and fertilizer 
• Growing medium 
• Equipment of particular hydroponic system

6)- Selecting The Growing Medium

Growing mediums in hydroponics systems are treated as a substitute for soil. They are used to support the plants while balancing soil and water. There are multiple types of growing mediums from which you can make a selection. Some of these are

• Rockwool: This is a popular growing medium in hydroponic farming. It is made with molten rock spun into fibres. Rockwool is best known for holding water and aerating plant roots. This medium comes in different sizes and shapes, making it easier to use with any hydroponic system. 
• Perlite: Perlite is a lightweight volcanic glass growing medium that expands under light. It offers good aeration and drainage and ensures a sufficient oxygen supply. 
• Inert mediums: Inert mediums primarily work as a support system for plant roots. This allows the free flow of water and nutrients to plants, promoting healthy and fast growth. 
• Soilless mediums: Soilless mediums are organic materials containing both organic and inorganic compounds. These growing mediums offer a balance between water, nutrients, and aeration. 

7)- Purchase Supplements And Hydroponics Nutrients For Plant Growth

When setting up hydroponic farming, it’s important to buy the right nutrient solutions. These nutrients provide minerals responsible for healthy plant growth.

To use them mix these nutrients with water. This will help you have a better-quality harvest. The basic nutrient solutions needed for hydroponics plants are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Where 

• Nitrogen is responsible for growing healthy leaves as well as aiding in the production of protein and enzymes. 
• Phosphorus plays an essential role in root and flower development. 
• Potassium helps in improving overall plant health and acts as disease-resistant. 

Plant growth with the hydroponic method also requires secondary nutrients: calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. These nutrients are responsible for cell wall structure, enzyme activity, chlorophyll production, and plant growth. 

However, nutrient solutions must be based on the plant’s age because the younger plants don’t have long roots, and they needed less nutrient solution with water. 

While choosing a nutrient solution for your hydroponic plant, it’s important to consider certain factors, 

• Plant nutrient interaction
• pH level of the nutrient solution
• Electrical conductivity of a nutrient solution
• Nutrient solution temperature
• Dissolved oxygen in nutrient solution 

8)- Lightning Source Needed For Hydroponic Farming

Hydroponics plants grow in a closed environment and require artificial lights for suitable plant growth. Selection of the lights for Hydroponic sets in India requires several factors to be considered, which can be 

• Understanding light duration 
• Light intensity and its effects. 
• The spectrum of light Blue, red or any other

Types of lights you can choose for hydroponic farming 

• LED 
• Fluorescent bulb 
• High-pressure sodium bulb 
• Metal Halide bulbs

9)- Continuous Monitoring And Maintaining The Farm

When working with a hydroponic system, you must monitor and maintain it carefully. To ensure positive results, you must also regularly monitor the flow of nutrient solution and water. 

Also, maintaining humidity, light radiation, pH, temperature range, and more is essential for healthy plant growth.

Most Profitable Hydroponic Crops To Grow For Beginners

Hydroponics farming in India is famous for growing.

• Leafy greens (spinach, kale, swiss chard)
• Herbs ( Basil, parsley)
• Tomato 
• Strawberries 
• Lettuce 
• Cannabis

How Much Does Setting Up A Hydroponic Farm In One Acre Cost?

To determine the cost of setting up a hydroponic system, you need to consider the system’s size, equipment needed, outer structure, crop you are cultivating, the climate it needs, and the area where plants are grown.

The minimum budget needed to start a hydroponic farm is around 20 lakhs to 90 lakhs. Hydroponics kits are available for those who are planning to start one in their homes. 

You will get these kits with a price range between 20,000 to 50,000. For more details on how much setting up a hydroponic farm on one-acre costs? You can watch the video mentioned below.

Tips To Grow Successful Hydroponic Plants

• Look for high-quality equipment and supplies.
• Maintain the proper weather conditions 
• Regularly check and update the nutrient solutions
• Understand the hydroponics techniques 
• Check your crop performance and keep a detailed record

Conclusion

In India, modern techniques in the agriculture sector have recently become popular. Before, people thought that their traditional method was more suitable, but now the situation has changed. 

Hydroponics and other modern agriculture methods have gained much popularity and interest in India. They offer multiple benefits, such as no use of pesticides, minimal space and water usage, year-round crop production, and more. 

This encourages farmers to adopt a hydroponic set-up for growing year-round crops.  With the right knowledge, guidance and continuous monitoring, anyone can build a successful hydroponic farming setup. 

With the growing demand for locally produced crops, embracing hydroponic farming will help create a more sustainable and productive agricultural sector in India.