Unveiling the Future of Urban and Semi-Urban Hydroponic Farming with Nutrient Film Technique
Adarsha Gopalakrishna Bhat*
Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (110 012), India
Sweety Mukherjee
Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (110 012), India
Vinayak Paradkar
Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (110 012), India
Pragya Balley
Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (110 012), India
DOI: NIL
Keywords: Hydroponics, Nutrient film technique, Protected cultivation, Sustainable agriculture
Abstract
The world is rapidly urbanising and facing challenges with food security, making traditional farming methods unsustainable. By effectively utilising space, water and nutrients, the soilless hydroponic system known as Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) provides a sustainable solution. This article explores the novel features of NFT, shedding light on its adaptability to urban settings, where space and resource constraints frequently make conventional farming impractical. NFT minimises environmental impact while maximising crop yield by continuously supplying nutrients to plant roots. Furthermore, reducing water use and minimising chemical runoff are two of the environmental benefits it addresses. As we approach the dawn of a new agricultural era, this article highlights the promising future of urban and semi-urban hydroponic farming, emphasising NFT as a groundbreaking technique with broad implications for sustainable food production.
Downloads
not found
Reference
Alipio, M.I., Cruz, A.E.M.D., Doria, J.D.A., Fruto, R.M.S., 2019. On the design of Nutrient Film Technique hydroponics farm for smart agriculture. Engineering in Agriculture, Environment and Food 12(3), 315-324. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eaef.2019.02.008.
Arumugam, T., Sandeep, G., Maheswari, M.U., 2021. Soilless farming of vegetable crops: An overview. The Pharma Innovation Journal 10(1), 773-785.
Waiba, K.M., Sharma, P., Sharma, A., Chadha, S., Kaur, M., 2020. Soil-less vegetable cultivation: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 9(1), 631-636.