Lok Sabha Question No. 593 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Promoting Hydroponic Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 593

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## PROMOTING HYDROPONIC FARMING

593. SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state: (a)  whether the Government plans to integrate hydroponics farming into existing agricultural policies to ensure a comprehensive and cohesive approach; (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  initiatives  that  are  in  place  to  educate  farmers  about  the  benefits  of hydroponics; (c)  the details of the success of these outreach programmes in different States; (d)  whether the Government has introduced any financial incentives or subsidies for farmers engaging in hydroponics farming to encourage widespread adoption; and

- (e)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

(a) to (e): The practice of growing plants without soil, with a nutrient solution or nutrient-enriched water, called Hydroponics, is generally carried out in protected environment like greenhouse or indoors,  where  temperature,  humidity  and  light  is  closely  controlled.  Hydroponics  is  a  new concept in India  and  is  gaining  popularity  among  entrepreneurs  and  innovative  farmers  for sustainable  and  commercial  cultivation  of  crops,  at  places  with  limited  natural  resources. Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare,  has  no  proposal,  at  this  stage,  to  integrate hydroponics farming into existing agricultural policies.  However,  under National Horticulture Board (NHB) i.e., a sub scheme of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), assistance is provided for using hydroponics method of farming as per cost norms of protected cultivation. Further, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research  (IIHR),  Bengaluru  is  doing  research  work  on  this  new  technology  to  firm  up comparative productivity, efficiency and viability. IIHR, Bengaluru has developed production technology for cocoponics which is soilless production of horticulture crops using cocopeat as substrate. It has developed liquid nutrient formulation of Arka Sasya Poshak Ras for soilless cultivation of vegetables like zucchini, cabbage, chili, brinjal and leafy vegetables etc. IIHR is also providing hands on training to interested farmers and entrepreneurs on this technology. Hydroponics is gaining popularity among entrepreneurs and innovative farmers for sustainable and commercial cultivation of crops, at places with limited natural resources. ICAR-Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow is also engaged in indigenous  structural  design  of  hydroponics  and  development  of  package  of  practices  for sustainable and cost effective hydroponic crop production in sub tropical region. The Institute has evaluated four hydroponic systems (nutrient film techniques, Ebb and flow technique, drip

hydroponic techniques and geoponics techniques) for high value vegetable production.

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