Vardan Agrotech has been in hydroponics and controlled environment agriculture for over five years. For them, to develop a hydroponic facility that is sustainable in India, it is important to integrate traditional know-how with the latest technology and automation developments. "Leveraging our research and development background, we've refined our growing techniques and nutrient solutions by integrating technology with traditional practices. This approach ensures the production of high-quality, chemical residue-free crops," Madhav Gupta, operational general manager at Vardan Agrotech states.
According to Madhav, the traditional ways of cultivation which have come through many years of production in India, remains an important part of running a successful agricultural company. "It is also a more sustainable way to keep the local workers involved in the business of growing and to maintain a similar mindset throughout."
Vardan Agrotech was founded and co-promoted by Mr. Rakesh Malhotra (Symbiotic Sciences an Ag-biotech company) and Mr. Arjun Sharma (Promoter, Select CITYWALK Mall, New Delhi and Chairman, Select Group). Their land area consists of 55 acres of which 10 acres are under controlled environment-protected cultivation with the use of forced ventilated fan & pad greenhouses, net houses, and naturally ventilated polyhouses. "Our total production capacity of this site is close to 150MT per year", according to Madhav.
They specialize in cultivating a range of vegetable crops, including cucumbers, various types of tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeños, and different varieties of lettuces. They also offer leafy greens such as spinach, coriander, kale, and pak choy. "We focus primarily on B2B sales within the Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering (HoReCa) industry. Our produce is carefully packaged and transported by our team, ensuring quality and freshness as it is delivered to our clients through these specialized channels."
"Hydroponic development in India has been gaining ground in India in recent years as the general public is becoming more aware of what they are consuming, especially after the Covid pandemic", Madhav says as he starts to illustrate the current hydroponic landscape in India. "Hydroponics provide cleaner products with less chemical residue than traditionally grown produce." Vardan Agrotech grows vegetables among others for the Delhi markets using CEA.
In general, hydroponics has been combatting several agricultural challenges across India. Madhav emphasizes the rise of start-ups and private companies in the country that all focus on hydroponics. "These businesses are innovating in terms of hydroponic systems, nutrient solutions, and automation technologies. They are collectively working towards making hydroponics more mainstream."
Education, research, and training
"The biggest challenge that we face with the Indian market is consumer awareness. While a certain section of society is aware of hydroponic produce and its benefits, a large section is still unaware and continues to consume chemical laden produce leading to severe consequences." Madhav also states that there is a lack of technical expertise in the country which hinders the effective operations of a hydroponic facility. "Hydroponics requires a deep knowledge of nutrient management, pH and EC balancing, and system maintenance. There is a shortage of trained professionals in this field."
Several Indian universities and research institutions are now researching hydroponics to improve techniques and make them more suitable for Indian conditions. Additionally, there are an increasing number of workshops, seminars, and training programs aimed at educating farmers and enthusiasts about hydroponics.
According to Madhav, another challenge is scaling up hydroponic operations due to the high initial investment required for infrastructure, technology, and equipment. "Operational costs like water and electricity provide additional challenges, with the added complexities of logistics within the country."
In India, each state has its own legislation, and various state governments have introduced subsidies to help individual farmers access hydroponic farming technology more easily and affordably. While the Indian government has been promoting hydroponics as part of its broader push toward sustainable agriculture, these support measures have primarily been provided for technology and infrastructure in areas of only up to 1 acre. This limited scale has often led to inefficiencies due to the unsustainable nature of small-scale hydroponic farming, which has, in some cases, hindered its large-scale adoption.
"As the government support mostly targets individual farmers and small-scale operators, this approach has proven inefficient, as hydroponic farming requires substantial investment in technology and maintenance, which is difficult to sustain profitably on such a small scale. As a result, resources are often wasted, and the overall impact is limited. Corporate entities, that could potentially operate hydroponic farms more efficiently and sustainably on a larger scale, are typically excluded from these subsidies and support measures. This exclusion limits the growth and innovation potential of hydroponic farming in India."
"Lastly, competing with traditional soil-based farming techniques in terms of pricing is extremely difficult, particularly when the cost of growing hydroponically grown produce is higher due to advanced technology and inputs," as Madhav concludes.
Development plans
Vardan Agrotech is excited to enhance its environmental sustainability: "We are expanding our rainwater harvesting systems. In addition to our existing 1.5 million-liter water storage capacity, we are constructing a new half-acre rainwater harvesting pond, which will add 2.8 to 3.0 million liters of storage capacity." They are planning to install a 200kW solar power system. According to Madhav, this will significantly decrease their reliance on coal-based grid electricity, helping to lower operational costs and boost sustainability efforts.
They are also working on diversifying their product range. "Our plans include growing a variety of cut, pot, and edible flowers under protected cultivation. These will be supplied to hotels and restaurants in nearby cities, broadening our market reach and product portfolio."
For more information:
Vardan Agrotech
Madhav Gupta
Email: [email protected]