Smart and cost-effective soilless farming for high value vegetables: A new avenue for urban entrepreneurship

Department of Vegetable Science Faculty of Horticulture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia - 741252, West Bengal, India.

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Abstract

Rapid urbanization, shrinking cultivable land, climate change, and deterioration of soil health have posed serious challenges to conventional vegetable production systems. Under such circumstances, hydroponics and soilless cultivation technologies have emerged as promising alternatives for sustainable and profitable production of high-value vegetables. The present manuscript highlights the research and developmental activities undertaken at the Department of Vegetable Science, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, on smart and cost-effective soilless farming systems for urban and peri-urban entrepreneurship. Various high-value vegetables including colored capsicum, broccoli, red cabbage, lettuce, cherry tomato, pakchoi, celery, spinach, and Chinese cabbage were evaluated under different hydroponic and soilless production systems. Standardization of nutrient solutions, growing media, and low-cost hydroponic modules using recycled materials were successfully developed. Innovative technologies such as hydroponic cultivation using recycled mineral water bottles and biodegradable plug trays prepared from banana leaves were developed as eco-friendly alternatives for urban vegetable production. The study demonstrated that soilless farming can significantly improve resource use efficiency, reduce dependency on soil, enhance crop quality, and create employment opportunities for urban youth and entrepreneurs. The technology offers immense potential for sustainable vegetable production under changing climatic conditions and limited land availability.