Hydroponics is a relatively new technology that has been rapidly evolving since its introduction about 60+ years ago it was initially originated for academic research and to gain an understanding of the actual essentials of plant growth but has now evolved into a full-fledged industry that helps in the sustenance of the environment while provide a better quality of crops for consumption. Hydroponic farming gives higher output with lesser input of resources.
Its versatility ensures that the farming techniques and variety is appropriate for developing countries as well as high tech space stations. This type of farming can create food produce across the world from desserts to mountains and even in domestic spaces like rooftops of schools or homes. It provides locally produced crops like fresh greens and herbs in all spaces.
The hydroponic industry has a lot of scope for automation as can be seen in its own evolution. Currently it is partially automated but there is a high chance of increasing the technology efficiency and making it completely mechanical. This is in turn dependent on the development of the production systems that may or may not be as cost effective as the traditional farming methods. There is also a lot of possibility to reuse the existing resources within a hydroponic farm to reduce wastage and increase the efficiency. This can vividly be seen in cogeneration projects that utilize the heat from the industry plants but can be expanded in the coming years with a development in geothermal heating options.
The economic prospects for hydroponic agriculture may also advance with the improvement in government recognition. If the government bodies are determined to make a shift to hydroponic farming, then they can offer subsidiaries, tax rebuttals, monetary benefits and other backup options to farmers regionally to give them a minor push to take the leap into hydroponic farming.
In India, hydroponic farms are being set up across the country like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolhapur etc. The competition in the Indian market is not very fierce because the technology is fairly new and its awareness is limited. There is a high growth possibility in the Indian market for hydroponic farming as the population is at a constantly upward graph and the land available for cultivation is unfortunately constant.
The lack of technological awareness and development of hydroponics in India will also lead to a back-end development of the country’s technological feasibility. If hydroponics is adopted by the farmers, it will naturally call for a push in the development of the technology which is available. Adopting hydroponic farming will also increase the quality and quantity of the crop output and reduce the inputs and reuse the wastage. This will create a cascading effect which will demand for an overall development in the country’s output level in all fields.
Hydroponic farming overcomes the shortcomings of traditional farming and offers a more sustainable and healthy option. Many countries have already shifted to hydroponic farming as their primary mode of agriculture and its only a matter of time before India realizes its potential and makes a big shift towards the same.