BAU's Hydroponic Farming Technique Will Help Landless & Marginal Farmers

In Bhagalpur, the Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) devised the soilless hydroponic farming method for producing green vegetables, green fodder, fruits, and other horticultural products. In the presence of BAU researchers and officials, the first harvest of green fodder and leafy crops was completed recently.

Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana-Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR), the exclusive scheme of the Union ministry of agriculture and farmers' welfare for a supplemental annual increase in the agriculture sector, the method was experimented with and attained after extensive research. Hydroponically grown plants are often grown in a greenhouse.

According to the BAU vice-chancellor Arun Kumar, the nutrient solution is used instead of soil for hydroponic production, BAU wants to improve it even more and spread the process throughout the province for the benefit of farmers. Adopting the approach would allow landless and marginal farmers to cultivate green fodder, vegetables, and fruits.

According to R K Sohane, director (education extension) at BAU, the employment of hydroponic technology, would reduce the consumption of water for agricultural purposes.

He also stated that with the utilization of hydroponic technology for green fodder production at BAU, teachers, and researchers would have a huge chance of improving the hydroponic methodology further. Hydroponic technology is also a time-saving strategy. 

S K Gupta, assistant professor in the department of agronomy and the project's main investigator, stated that two machines are capable of producing 100-120 kilos of fodder per day, and 450-500 kilograms of green fodder per day have been built for hydroponic production.

He further stated that maize, wheat, barley, and oats are grown hydroponically as green fodder. The university's goal is to ensure the availability of hydroponic green fodder for dairy applications.

BAU's Goal of Promoting Hydroponic Techniques

BAU's agenda includes the promotion of hydroponic techniques among farmers in the Bhagalpur region and surrounding areas. The BAU's officials are considering suggesting to the government the names of farmers who are interested in purchasing hydroponic production machines.