soilless farming –the spectrum explained
TRANSCRIPT
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
Commercial Hydroponics- 2
Commercial Hydroponics- 3
Commercial Hydroponics- 4
Commercial Hydroponics- 5
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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
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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
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HYDROPONIC CHERRY TOMATO- SEE THE COLOR AND BEAUTY
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HYDROPONIC BEEFSTEAK TOMATOES COMMAND PREMIUM PRICES
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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
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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
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ITALIAN TOMATOES MADE HYDROPONICALLY AT BANGALORE
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Heirloom Tomato Grown Hydroponically
Hydroponic Pear Tomatoes
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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