Development of Simplified Hydroponic Technology and Validation for Commercial Cultivation

Gazipur

Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has established and developed hydroponic cultivation techniques for several vegetables including tomato, capsicum, cucumber, lettuce, melon and other high value vegetables. On the other hand simplified hydroponic systems has also been developed using locally available materials for growing high value vegetables in solution and coco-coir based soilless culture in round the year. Now it is very important to validate this technology to the progressive farmers/entrepreneurs.

The proposed research program is execute in three different location of Bangladesh (HQ, BARI, RARS, Jashore and Palichara, Rangpur). The standardization of nutrient solution activity is execute in HQ but other activity is continuing in other two locations with the close monitoring of the research team. Under the project activity, more than 60 people (Scientists, NGO personals, progressive farmers etc.) has been trained. Research team several time visit the project activity area and give them total technical support and supply the research materials.

Last year four experiment was conducted under the project. One of them was, selecting the appropriate concentration of commercial grade fertilizer for hydroponic technology. Two concentrations of commercial- grade fertilizer’s solution shown better performance greater performance and it can be standardized through further experiment. This year same experiment has set up. Finally we can fix one concentrations of commercial- grade fertilizer’s solution will be suggested. In the same time two low-cost hydroponic systems was established in the two districts of Bangladesh (Jashore and Rangpur). One was in Jashore, RARS and another was in Palichara, Rangpur (Farmers compound). Both of them are working under the project and close monitoring by scientist. Another major activity of this project was to simplify hydroponic system (such as NFT, DWC, and coco-dust based soil-less culture).

The research activity of the project is going on. After completion of the project, it is possible to provide a low-cost hydroponic system package for commercial cultivation. In Bangladesh context it is very important for popularize the activity. Simplified hydroponic systems were constructed using RFL plastic sheets, woods, foam, corksheet etc. that are locally available and cheap. Trails on evaluation of performance of both leafy and fruity vegetables are going on using commercial grade fertilizer available in Bangladesh.

Actually the project has high cost involvement activity. The low income farmers are not benefited by the activity. The entrepreneurs and only progressive farmers can be benefited through growing high value, safe and nutrient rich leafy and fruit vegetables. Through this project we are trying to develop some expert progressive farmers who will carry on the activity in future. Already we develop one progressive farmers in Rangpur who will produce the vegetables in hydroponic system. Through this project we trained different categories of people for popularize the activity and disseminate the activity. In this project it is not possible to link up the market.

This sustainability plan for hydroponic research focuses on making hydroponic farming environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. It emphasizes water conservation through closed-loop systems, energy efficiency via re-newables, eco-friendly nutrients, waste reduction, and promoting biodiversity. Overall it ensure safe food to the consumers.