Skip to main content

Automatic vertical integrated farming units

 The availability of limited resources, scarce and inadequate manpower, a growing population, increasing pollution, climate change, and associated challenges must be addressed to achieve food security for the public and a sustainable income for the farming community. In a state like Kerala and similar urban-adjacent regions, where per capita land availability is drastically decreasing, there is a need for technology that ensures the production of high-quality agricultural products in a sustainable manner within limited space.

During my tenure at the Hi-tech Research and Training Unit, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, I conducted extensive research and training programs on various hi-tech farming techniques, including polyhouse farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, open precision farming, vertical farming, and the poly-kitchen garden—a system I designed and developed to enable vegetable cultivation for families with small landholdings or individuals living in apartments.

However, I realized that while aquaponics could provide fish and vegetables, it did not offer eggs or meat. This led me to explore ways to produce all these essential food items from a single unit. Over time, I developed a novel system that integrates aquaponics, vertical farming, and poultry farming, resulting in an automated vertical integrated farming unit.

This unit ensures the sustainable production of high-quality meat, eggs, fish, and vegetables within a single system. It operates by integrating aquaponics with vertical farming and poultry in a controlled environment, such as a rain shelter or polyhouse, where all essential inputs—such as feed for poultry and fish, as well as water and fertilizers for plants—are applied automatically. Utilizing modern techniques and equipment, this system follows an enterprising approach with a profit-assured input-output relationship.

It is essential to develop and promote such automated integrated farming units and guide India's educated youth to adopt this technology, either as a family farming unit or as a self-employment opportunity. The widespread adoption of this innovative approach could help drive a techno-green revolution in India.

Advantages:

  • Simultaneously produces four essential products: vegetables, fish, eggs, and meat.
  • Reduces labor and manual effort.
  • Ensures automated feeding for fish and poultry and the provision of water and fertilizers to plants, preventing any component from suffering in the absence of the grower.
  • Optimizes space utilization by growing crops in multi-tier grow bags, accommodating approximately 30 fruiting plants per square meter.






Author:  Dr.P.Suseela, Former Professor & PI, Hi-Tech Research and 

Training Unit, Kerala Agrl. Uty and Consultant and Trainer of Hi-Tech cultivation

Follow me :

FB

Instagram

Linkedin



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cultivation of English cucumber inside the polyhouse

  Introduction English  Cucumber cultivation under naturally ventilated greenhouse conditions was found economically viable and the profits can further be improved through year-round cultivation in soilless media under a greenhouse aided with optimal microclimatic conditions. Cucumbers have very fast growth rate. Cucumbers are extremely sensitive to environmental parameters like light, air temperature & humidity and nutritional needs. For a cucumber crop to succeed, growers must strictly follow the crop's environmental and nutritional needs. Climate For good production, a temperature range of 25°C to 30°C during the day time and 18 °C to 22°C during night time is desirable. Peak day time temperatures of 30°C to 35°C are tolerable. In favourable environmental condition, the cucumber plants grow rapidly and produce lot of cucumber fruits. But prolonged periods of high temperatures may adversely affect the fruit quality. Night temperatures not lower than 18°C ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Production of Salad Vegetables in NFT Hydroponics: A Sustainable and Profitable Venture

  Introduction The growing consumer demand for pesticide-free, high-nutrition, and fresh produce has significantly increased interest in hydroponic farming. Among the various methods of hydroponics, the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) stands out for its efficiency in cultivating leafy vegetables and herbs. This system is particularly suited for producing salad vegetables such as lettuce, kale, basil, arugula, spinach, and parsley , especially in urban and peri-urban regions where land is limited. NFT hydroponics involves a shallow stream of nutrient-rich water flowing through channels (most often HDPE pipes), where the plant roots absorb nutrients directly. This soilless, water-efficient system minimizes pest attacks and allows year-round production, making it an ideal technology for sustainable agriculture. Salad Vegetables Suitable for NFT Hydroponics Lettuce (Lactuca sativa): A core salad vegetable available in varieties such as Butterhead, Romaine, and...
Post a Comment
Read more