New Hydroponics Start-ups: Why its Commercially Viable

Plastic on the floor between plant rows keeps the greenhouse neat. Note the yellow sticker pest cards here and there to warn about the presence of pests.

Many younger people become enthusiastic over entering the fresh produce market but in a nonformal manner. Their question is; “Will I be able to make ends meet and grow in order to become financially viable?

Vegetable production provides a promising economic opportunity for reducing rural poverty and unemployment in developing countries and is a key component of farm diversification strategies. Vegetables are mankind›s most affordable source of vitamins and minerals needed for good health, according to Science Direct. It is for certain that hydroponics greenhouses are becoming more popular and frequently discussed as business ventures or just community fresh food supply entities. The technologies in hydroponics farming are advancing at a phenomenal pace and now even smaller greenhouses can become successful.

Reasons

Producing in greenhouses with hydroponics systems is very profitable. They are more productive than soil farming, but require a higher start-up cost. However, against the much larger open land space, water usage, climate errs and pests, higher volumes of produce are produced with less water and often, less chemical usage. Highvalue fruits and vegetables produce the most revenue.

Plants grown in hydroponics

greenhouses can produce yields up to 11 times higher than those grown in soil farms. In hydroponics greenhouses, plants can be stacked vertically or horizontally and, since their roots don’t grow as much, they can be placed closer together. Hydroponics farms can grow three to ten times more produce than soil farming using the same amount of space. Furthermore, in a greenhouse you can produce 41 kg of produce per sq. meter each year. Compare that with the much lower 3.9kg in the case of open land farming and get going! However, the costs of hydroponics operations are a little different from those of soil farming. There are many things you can do to maximize the profits of your hydroponics greenhouse. Here are a few ideas to help you maintain a profitable greenhouse.

High-Value produce

Producing high-value vegetables and fruit is the best way to take advantage

of the efficient but costly environment of a hydroponics farm. High-value fruits and vegetables can have an edge on the market and can even be sold as “luxury” food. Some of the most profitable crops you can grow in your hydroponic greenhouse are: • Leafy greens like spinach, celery, mint, or lettuce • Tomatoes • Sweet Peppers • Cucumbers • Strawberries and other berries • Melons Herbs and even cannabis (stringent laws protecting the market). Special greens are planted for specific use by high-end restaurants; therefore opportunities exist to obtain a steady market. Medicinal plants like cannabis, flower varieties and cultivating seedlings for other greenhouse operators are among money-making ideas for the newcomer. Lettuce and similar leafy vegetables are technically low-value crops, but their low maintenance and improved yielding in hydroponics farming make them most suitable for hydroponic greenhouses.

Grow Year-round in a Greenhouse

Hydroponics greenhouses produce yearlong harvests. The closed environment of a greenhouse allows you to precisely control the conditions for your plants, without having to worry about climate and season. A producer will be able to harvest at any time of the year, without any interruptions. A sure way to maximize revenue in a hydroponics farm is growing vegetables that are out of season on open land farms. Since seasons have no effect on the production of a hydroponics greenhouse, hydroponic produce will take a larger market share when it’s out of season.

Large investment at first

Starting a hydroponics farm comes with a high initial investment. The average cost of setting up a 30 by 10m hydroponics operation would be around R75 000. This entails the structure, cladding with plastic, your seedling bags filled with grow medium (as you do not grow in soil), the irrigation lines, pump or two, two tanks) water and soluble fertilizer and plastic under the plants (and walkways, if possible). You

Note the string which is used to train the plant towards a top wire. This keeps the plant upright, the leaves and fruit develop well and there is good airflow between plants.

will also have measuring equipment like thermometers and pH sensors to manage your plants. See this as an investment in experience and as soon as you are ready and acquired a market for your produce, invest in another greenhouse. Still, thanks to its higher-yielding and efficiency, hydroponics greenhouses are very profitable in the long run. If this challenge can be overcome, hydroponic farmers can only expect their business to grow over the next decade.

Quick Growth Cycles

In open land farming, the soil must go through a period of restoration before the next crop can be grown. Meanwhile, in the hydroponics greenhouses, one can plant the next crop as soon as the previous one is harvested. Some farmers divide their greenhouses and plant at intervals so the total crop does not yield at once. This technique you will experience as you grow for your market. Additionally, hydroponics plants have faster growth thanks to having all the nutrients readily available in the water.

Minimal Pesticide use

In greenhouse farming there is a muchreduced usage of pesticides. There is no weed without soil, so dealing with weed is out of the picture. By growing without soil you’re also dispensing of all the common pests that come with it. But a few pests in hydroponics systems can be a problem. It’s one of the challenges hydroponics farmers face. However, there are much fewer pests in hydroponics farming but are much

Plants need to be trained up regularly and water shoots (nonfruit bearing branches) clipped away to allow maximum food to reach the higher branches where fruit grows. During the colder months, and especially if you are located in an area with longer cold climate, a coal burner heat system is essential. There are producers doing trials with solar panels, but that is still a high investment.

simpler to deal with if you are awake and inspecting your pants daily. Having an enclosed and controlled system, it’s easy to identify the pests and to introduce biological measures (like early warning gummed pads that show any pests around) without resorting to strong chemicals.

Water use Efficiency

A hydroponics farm uses up to 90% less water than traditional soil farming. The water used for irrigation is recycled, filtrated and pumped back into the plants until it is consumed and absorbed by them. There are systems that will actually measure your over-fertigation so you can save on input costs. In short; greenhouse hydroponics is not for the feint hearted, but neither is open-land farming! Though, the economic feasibilities in greenhouse farming are by far a more acceptable investment in time, capital and thoughtful energy to play a meaningful role in food security. More countries are showing a high percentage of greens, veggies and fruit consumption than those with high meat consumption. JS

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