Keep trays moist, indoor light or natural indirect sunlight
11–13
Transplant Healthy Seedlings
Transfer 2-inch plants into NFT channels
14–15
Monitor Roots & Flow Rate
Check root development, maintain nutrient flow
✅ Use automated timers for 15-min on/off cycles ✅ Add aerator pump to nutrient tank for oxygen supply
💧 4. DAY 16–40: GROWTH PHASE
Element
Ideal Range
Notes
pH
5.8–6.5
Adjust weekly
EC (Electric Conductivity)
1.2–1.6 mS/cm
Crop-specific
Nutrient Mix
N-P-K + micronutrients
Weekly refill
Light
10–12 hrs/day
Natural or LED grow lights
Temperature
18°C–25°C
Polyhouse ventilation needed
🔍 Challenges
Algae growth in channels
White root fungus
Nutrient lockout (check EC levels)
🧺 5. DAY 41–45: HARVESTING
Crop
Days to Harvest
Yield (Per Sq Ft)
Lettuce
30–35 days
~300–400 gm
Basil
35–40 days
~250 gm
Spinach
35–40 days
~350–450 gm
✅ Harvest early morning ✅ Use clean shears ✅ Store in refrigerated crates (4–8°C)
💰 6. COST BREAKDOWN
Category
Cost (INR)
Polyhouse (20×50 ft)
₹1,80,000
NFT Channels + Pumps
₹75,000
Nutrient Solution (Yearly)
₹15,000
Seeds (per month)
₹3,000
Electricity (monthly)
₹1,000
Water (monthly)
₹300
Labor & Maintenance (monthly)
₹5,000
Miscellaneous
₹10,000
Total Initial Setup
₹2.6–2.9 lakh
📈 7. PROFIT/LOSS ESTIMATE (Per Cycle)
Parameter
Amount
Total Yield (Lettuce)
~350 kg/cycle
Selling Price (avg)
₹80/kg (bulk) or ₹120/kg (retail)
Gross Income
₹28,000 – ₹42,000
Monthly Operating Cost
₹9,000 – ₹10,000
Net Profit
₹18,000 – ₹30,000 per 35 days
💡 Annual Net Profit Potential: ₹2.5–3.5 lakh (Assuming 10–11 cycles/year)
🛒 8. MARKET & SALES
Market Type
Strategy
Retail
Direct to customer (F&V stalls)
Restaurants
Organic gourmet supplies
Online Delivery
Tie up with Dunzo, Zepto, Swiggy
Supermarkets
Supply in sealed packs
🎯 Bonus: Brand it as “Pesticide-free Urban Greens”
🍃 9. PROS & CONS OF HYDROPONIC CROPS
Pros
Cons
Uses 90% less water
High setup cost
Faster growth, no soil pests
Needs electricity and maintenance
Year-round production
Technical knowledge required
Controlled environment = higher ROI
ROI takes ~1 year
Pesticide-free, safe consumption
Disease can spread faster
🧠 10. COMMON CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS
Challenge
Solution
pH/EC Imbalance
Use digital meters weekly
Algae in channels
Cover channels with black sheet
Poor germination
Use fresh seeds + cocopeat
Leaf yellowing
Adjust nutrients, check pH
Water temperature rise
Use insulated tanks or cooling
📷 OVERVIEW
🟩 STAGE 1 – Seedling Trays 📦 1000 seedlings → Germinate indoors ⬇ 🟩 STAGE 2 – Transplant into NFT channels 💧 Continuous water & nutrients ⬇ 🟩 STAGE 3 – Growth Monitoring 🌞 Light, temperature, and nutrients ⬇ 🟩 STAGE 4 – Harvest & Pack 🥬 Sold to local & online markets
🏁 CONCLUSION
Hydroponic farming in a 20×50 polyhouse can become a profitable, sustainable agribusiness if done with precision and monitoring. It’s ideal for high-value crops like leafy greens and herbs. With increasing demand for pesticide-free vegetables, this model can return investment in 12–16 months.
