The science of growing plants without soil

Why would a 47-year-old alumnus of a prestigious management institute in India quit his full-time job to cultivate plants?

Sunil Jose explains it in his own words. “After leading a corporate life for 18 years, I went through a period of self realisation when I wanted to do something that would have a wider impact and understanding to oneself and to others. A small academic project and a technology firm led me to study the impact of famine, drought and farmers’ suicide. All the while, I was thinking of a framework to educate and create awareness on how to control finances (micro finance) during difficult times. That is when I stumbled onto hydroponics”.

What a stumble that was! Today, the southern Indian city of Benguluru knows Jose as the man who designed and implemented the vertical gardens on MG Road’s metro pillar to purify the air and nullify the effects of vehicular pollution. He has worked tirelessly to make vertical hydroponic gardens in Bengaluru a reality. He started an initiative which would help farmers plant herbs and vegetables in a vertical fashion — thus helping grow a large number of plants in a relatively smaller space. He discovered that hydroponics can also be used to grow fodder. He has also been actively advocating the use of hydroponics in farming in urban as well as rural areas. He has informed villagers in Karnataka that herbs flourish in the hydroponic machine that he has made available.

So, what exactly is hydroponics? Hydroponics is a revolutionary technique of growing plants without soil, in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution.

The world needs pesticidefree herbs, vegetables and fruits. People should think beyond organics and work towards a total, sustainable ecosystem.

- Sunil Jose

Growing plants without soil? Yes. That’s the most basic concept behind this method. Hoses circulate mineral-rich nutrients to the roots of whatever you’re growing. Hydroponics does not use any soil; the roots of the plants are supported using an inert medium such as clay pellets.

Climate change is a huge a challenge today that is causing a rapid change between seasons. This rapid change places a great deal of stress on trees and shrubs, and also shifts the blooming time of plants, which can put them out of sync with their pollinators. By using hydroponics technology, most herbs, creepers, flowers and other vegetables can be grown.

“It is an alternative to conventional farming — a more organised farm to fork concept with a wider impact on society. It will help to reduce the last food mile in all major towns and cities,” says Jose.

healthy choice

Plants (and you too) grow healthier, according to Jose. As indoor and greenhouse cultures are more protected from plagues, hydroponics gives us pesticide-free produce and creates a long term sustainable ecosystem. A hydroponic culture can grow two to three times faster than a traditional one. You can convert small vertical spaces in your balconies and gardens; the public can be taught to naturally grow medicinal plants at home that can cure 80 per cent of modern day ailments. Hydroponic fodder can be a boon for people living in famine-hit areas where cattle is dying.

The government could prepare a plan on introducing the hydroponics method of cultivation. Training should be provided for officials and interested farmers. Kits and tools will have to be provided to the trainees. They should help popularise this method of cultivation among people who have private gardens as well as those living in apartments.

But how would a normal person living in a cramped flat ‘go hydroponic’? Even if he/she got the hang of things, wouldn’t there be the usual worry ‘gosh, I hope I don’t kill these plants?’”

“Private gardens can use hydroponics technology; most herbs, creepers, flowers and other vegetables can be grown,” says Jose. He explains that much less water and space — since plants are grown in racks one on top of the other — is required and they grow a lot faster when compared to traditional methods.

Hydroponics does not use chemicals to grow plants. Plants need minerals, not soil. Often, organic compounds need to be broken down into minerals before the plants can take them in. By using water infused with high quality minerals in hydroponic farming, you are feeding your plants a very clean and natural fertiliser.

“Water is used very carefully and is recycled back into the system when required,” says Jose. Since the method does not make use of soil, the water needs are also minuscule — just 5-10 per cent — as compared to land crops. It also gives a higher yield than the traditional methods while using minimum power and space.

Homes with smaller spaces, too, can have a more sustained home grown produce.

However, it can be expensive to set up on a big scale. In most hydroponics systems, water is recirculated. Every bit of water is reused over and over again so hydroponic systems are more efficient in using water than soil agriculture, where recycling water is impossible. A hydroponic culture can save up to 95 per cent of water over a traditional one. But one will need the required equipment and tools. You need electricity to keep the nutrient solution circulating, as well as to oxygenate it. Indoor gardens also need lighting.

In hydroponics, errors are felt immediately by the plants and can be costly. On the other hand, if you react and correct the problem on time, the plants will also recover faster. That’s the reason hydroponic cultures need close monitoring or even automating it.

Jose is seeking partners to invest in the food tech industry. The entrepreneur, a family man and father of three, is on a mission for evangelising a nationwide awareness programme on hydroponics. “I am keen to inculcate the triple bottom line to all corporate sectors — people, planet and profit,” he says.

Other than farmers, in cities such as Bengaluru, some of the big business houses are using hydroponics for vertical ornamental planting on their campuses. States such as Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are making efforts to promote this method.

Jose’s hydroponic machines created a mini revolution in a north Karnataka village. A politician who had lost three elections, helped Jose supply these machines to the drought-affected villagers only to find after a few months that they were left untouched. But a curious boy put some mustard seeds in one and seeing the way the plants grew, the villagers soon followed suit. “They eventually replaced the pictures of deities in their houses with that of the politician,” jokes Jose.

Adapted the tech

Many countries such as the Netherlands, Canada and Australia have already adopted hydroponics farming extensively over the years. “Twenty-one per cent of tomatoes grown in Australia are with hydroponics,” he says. However, in India, farmers largely depend on conventional farming methods.

Jose is optimistic that as information about this method spreads, more and more farmers who don’t have the space to grow plants or those who live in the arid parts of India, will eventually opt for the “soil-less farming” technique.

Recently, Jose went to Kochi to address a Rotary gathering and spread awareness about his passion. “The world needs pesticide-free herbs, vegetables and fruits. People should think beyond organics and work towards a total, sustainable ecosystem,” says the Malayali man raised in Bengaluru.

Does this all still seem undoable? Think of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to drive home the point.

Linda Joseph is a writer based in Kerala, India.