Soilless Farming –The Spectrum Explained

Soilless Farming –The Spectrum Explained

By Lt Cdr CV Prakash (retd) Founder “The Pet Bharo Project”

ALL INDIA SEMINAR ON BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN SOILLESS FARMING

07TH MAY 2016, MUMBAI

It shall be my endeavour this morning to take you through the gamut of

soilless cultivation and the different areas open to those wishing to make a

business out of Simplified or Commercial Hydroponics/Soilless

Cultivation.

Introducing Myself

Full Spectrum Turnkey Consulting

TrainingSetting up internals of a greenhouse

Crop advise (agronomy)Seed selection

Soilless System selectionSetting up a farm management review plan

Setting up SOP's Integrated Pest Management

Greenhouse Hygiene ManagementOHS (Occupational Health and Safety Management)

Audits (On and Off site)Nutrient ManagementSystems managementNursery management

Crop SchedulingGreenhouse environment Management

GAP/HACCP Certifications fulfilment

Pioneered Hydroponics in India in 2008

What’s Soilless Farming

The science of growing fruits, herbs, vegetables, saplings and seedlings without Soil in any sterile medium that can replicate what soil does.

Why Soilless when there is no dearth of Soil?

Two Applications of Soilless Cultivation

1. Simple2. Commercial

Simplified HydroponicsFor Whom?

Livelihood and Sustainability

Commercial Hydroponics

Is For Whom?

Business Verticals *Simplified Hydroponics

• Set Up Training Schools• Set up Hydroponic Retail Shops

• Set up Consultancy• Set up Urban rooftop clusters-Buybacks

Simplified Hydroponics

Business Verticals Commercial Hydroponics• Hydroponic, Aquaponic, Aeroponic system supplies• Substrate supplies eg. Coco Peat,Perlite, LECA etc.• Grower• Contract Farming/FPO’s• Corporate Farming• RO Plant Suppliers• Turnkey Consulting Services• Seed suppliers• Greenhouse and Nursery supplies• Nutrient Supplies• Commercial Hydroponics Training Centres• Post Processing –Buyers• IoT/IT Service Providers• Biological and Bio-Pesticide Supplies• Commercial Hydroponics Urban and Food Parks• To name a few areas

Commercial Hydroponics- 1





01/05/2023 Copyright of HGTIPL-COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE 17

RETAIL CHAINS ARE LOOKING FOR GROWERS WHO CAN BECOME SUPPLIER PARTNERS IN THE LONG TERM WHO CAN SUPPLY FRESH PRODUCE AS PER INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

THE ACTUAL PROBLEM ON GROUND TODAY IS THAT THERE IS HARDLY ANY GROWER WHO CAN SUPPLY FRESH PRODUCE IN KEEPING WITH THEIR STANDARDS OF QUALITY, RELIABILITY AND CONSISTENCY

THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWERS IS HUGE NOW AND IN THE COMING FUTURE TO BECOME A PART OF THEIR BUSINESS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

MNC RETAIL CHAIN NEEDS OF FRESH PRODUCE IS HUGE AND THOSE GROWERS OR PROGRESSIVE FARMERS CAN HAVE THE FIRST MOVER ADVANTAGE

TO BECOME A PREFERRED BRANDED VEGETABLE VENDOR IS BY NO MEANS EASY AND ONLY POSSIBLE BY LIFTING ONES GROWING TECHNIQUES TO ATTAIN THEIR NOD

PRESENT SCENARIO AND FUTURE POTENTIAL-COMMERCIAL FARMING


PRESENTLY THIS IS THE STRAWBERRY THAT RETAIL CHAINS CAN GET IN INDIA- WHICH THEY WONT BUY

THIS IS THE KIND OF STRAWBERRY RETAIL CHAINS WOULD LOVE TO BUY


HYDROPONIC CHERRY TOMATO- SEE THE COLOR AND BEAUTY


HYDROPONIC BEEFSTEAK TOMATOES COMMAND PREMIUM PRICES


Why Hydroponics?•Healthy growth•Off season production•Higher Consistent Yields•Excellent Quality•Superior Hygiene•Reduction in growing Area•Free from Weeds•Free from soil borne diseases•Water can be Recycled•Predictable crops•Pests kept to minimum•Traceability is possible•Produce is high In Nutrition•Produce Is Export worthy•Produce will be bought by high end retail chains•Crops grow to genetic potential

• No Tractor required• No need to replace soil• Quick turnaround between

crops• Excellent ergonomics• Least labour• Least water• Can lure lazy workers due to

the ease of work• Is the smart way to grow

and earn good money• Use of All macro & micro

nutrients


GROWER TO CUSTOMER –THE VALUE PROPOSITION THAT MUST BE OFFERED

High Quality Food Safety

Reliability

Environmental Sustainability

Integrated Pest Management Practices (IPM)

Water is conserved and recycled

Soil conservation

Land conservation

No Dirt

No Pests

No Animal Waste Fertilizers

No DiseaseNo Acid Rain or Tainted Runoff

No Nasty Weather

Independent Food Safety Monitoring

Nutrition and Health

Good Agricultural Practices

Food Safety

No weeds

Least Labour


ITALIAN TOMATOES MADE HYDROPONICALLY AT BANGALORE


Heirloom Tomato Grown Hydroponically

Hydroponic Pear Tomatoes


Beefsteak Tomatoes-Produced in Bangalore

Primary benefits of Hydroponic cultivation

Reduced labor time of digging and weeding

Reduced fungal disease, little exposure

to moisture

Greater control on environment, yields are predictable and

budgeting is easier

Tailored macro and micro nutrition for

humans..even distribution

Effective recycle resulting in reduced

water usage

Land

Labour Nutrition

Diesease &Pest Water

There are two chief merits of the Soilless cultivation of plants. First, hydroponics may potentially produce much higher crop yields, Second, Hydroponics can be used in places where in-ground

agriculture or gardening are not possible.

Secondary benefitsSECONDARY BENEFITS

• Plants are protected from UV radiation as they are within a green house

• Offers safe biological control of insects and pests

• Water is reused effectively

• Allows nutrients to be reclaimed, re-balanced and re-used

• Can be protected from unpredictable weather patterns

• Have a good root system that is not at risk from contaminants and diseases

• Make efficient use of labour, which is increasingly expensive

• Produce outstanding crops by using optimum nutrient formulations

• Production in Off season possible when market prices are highest.

Hydroponics in Urban areasURBAN HYDROPONICS- THE FUTURE

The Singapore Rooftop Commercial Project-33000 SqFt

SET TO PRODUCE 526 TONNES OF LEAFY LETTUCE PER ANNUM

SWOT analysis for hydroponic farming

► Makes any land with water source useful for production

► High Yields from lesser spaces► Produce can get premium prices► Less labor means lesser costs► Effective IPM possible

► Brand, package and sell produce as clean, healthy and unique

► Creation of more growth products such as gingers, saffron, turmeric etc which are cash crops.

► Gaining good traction in India► Can be raised to sell niche markets with high

returns

► No industry association or bodies in hydroponics yet

► High Capex► Needs more diligence and devotion

► Cannot compete with soil grown produce► No dedicated standards and laws in

India

► Must not compete on price, but on quality.

► Perception that Hydroponics is unnatural.

► Certain soil grown produce are being marketed vigorously and may be a threat to hydroponic produce. E.g. Calyx-On Tomato

► Inconsistent supply arrangement can ruin market intake

SWOTHydroponics in

India

Weakness

Threats

Strengths

Opportunities

NFT SYSTEM –Working Schematic

Food Production Parks for

India

U n i t e d & I n t e g r a t e d

Simplified by Synergy

Copyright 2016

Proudly presents

Concept by Lt Cdr CV Prakash (Retd)

Founder- The Pet Bharo Project

Concept

Food Park Components

Hydroponic Fodder House

Vegetables Herbs Culinary Fruits Medicinal Plants Animal Fodder

AUCT

ION

HO

USE

Sorting , Grading, Packing House

TRAN

SPO

RT B

AYS

Worl

d Markets

Airports

COLD ROOMS / COOL ROOMS

Other Components

Seeds Transport Bays Administration area

Special Processing and Testing Room

Storage tanks Captive Power Amenities Knowledge Bays Nurseries

Other ComponentsSpecial Processing and Testing Room

• Cold rooms

• Cleaning /Washing area

• Sorting area

• Grading area

• Packing area

• Food testing lab area

• Gamma irradiation bay

SPECIAL PROCESSING AND TESTING

ROOMS

Administration Area

• CEO’s Office and Retinue • Main Office

• Consulting rooms• Marketing

department

• Finance department • Security Office

• Medical Facilities with Paramedics 24/7

CEO MAIN OFFICE

FINANCE CONFERENCE HALL

MARKETING

KNOWLEDGE CENTRES

NURSERIES

Nurseries

• Nurseries for seedlings and small plants

Knowledge Bays

• Hydroponics Library

• Hydroponic Training Tunnels

• Research Laboratory

• IT Support Office

CENTRAL CONTROL ROOM

Other Components

SEEDS DIVISION

Seeds

• Storage Bay

• Distribution Bay

• Seedling Nurseries

R A GO

ET

S

STORAGE TANKS

Storage tanks

• Nutrient

• Rain water harvesting tanks

• Fresh water tanks

TRANSPORT BAYS

Transport Bays

Goods Inward

Goods Outward

Transport Parking Bay

POWER

Captive Power

• Generator rooms

• Solar Power

• Wind power

• Biomass Power

Other Components

AMENITIES

Other amenities

• Motorable Roads

• Drainage and Sewage water systems

• Adequate Street and Pathway Lighting

• Power Station

• Signboards

• Tunnel Maintenance centre

• Tunnel spares and equipment warehouse

• Auction PointsBeneficiaries

The Dramatis Personae

Retail Chain Companies

Defense establishments

Private Individuals

Public Sector Companies

Hotel Chains

Fast Food Chains

Processed Food Industry

Railway Catering companies

Corporate Hospitals

FFV Exporters

Large land owners

NGOs�

Foreign Retail Companies (Outsourcing)

Public-Private Partnerships

Market

Organogram

Dhanyavaad!!

JAI HINDJa i Jawan, Ja i K isan

Soilless Farming –The Spectrum Explained

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