A Trip To The Hydroponics Unit – Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra

As part of our academic and experiential learning program, an educational trip was organized for grades 6, 7 and 8, to the Hydroponics Department at Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra (GKVK), Bengaluru, which functions under the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS). The objective of the visit was to acquaint our students with the innovative and sustainable farming technologies, gain practical knowledge about hydroponic cultivation systems, nutrient management in soilless conditions, understand their applications in modern agriculture.

During the visit, the experts at the hydroponics unit explained the concept of growing plants without soil by supplying essential nutrients through a water-based solution. The students observed various hydroponic structures and cultivation techniques designed for efficient crop production.

The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Dutch Bucket System, Vertical Hydroponic Structures, Nutrient and Water Management were some of the hydroponic techniques demonstrated to students.

The interaction with scientists helped them understand

• the use of aerators in some techniques of hydroponics
• the need for maintaining a definite pH range
• plants growing faster in hydroponics as compared to the ones grown in soil farm
• relevance of hydroponics in urban farming
• ‘Sky Green’ in Singapore being world’s first commercial vertical hydroponics approach to address its agricultural challenges
• real world use in space research and so on.

 This trip was indeed an enriching experience for our students where they could not only understand but also explore the potential of hydroponics as innovative solution to the problems related to future food production in our country.