: MP Farmer Grows Soil-less Strawberries In 3,000 Sq Ft, Profits Rise By 70% #IndiaNEWS #Madhya Pradesh Life took a new turn for Ratlam-based farmer, Arvind Dhakad, in 2015 after a visit to Israel through

MP Farmer Grows Soil-less Strawberries In 3,000 Sq Ft, Profits Rise By 70% #IndiaNEWS #Madhya Pradesh
Life took a new turn for Ratlam-based farmer, Arvind Dhakad, in 2015 after a visit to Israel through a private agro-tour comprising farmers. He was stunned to see native farmers growing traditional crops without soil, through a technique called hydroponics.
On interactions with farmers, he learned about its benefits, including less space, water, maintenance and high returns.
However, what impressed him the most was the absence of chemicals or pesticides.
The 38-year-old, in a way, felt guilty about growing chemical-infused food back home that gave mediocre returns. Today, five years later, Dhakad has replicated the model on his farm to grow strawberries. He set up the hydroponic model that is now giving him a high yield, almost 50 per cent faster growth, and his profits have increased up to 70 per cent.
While he is growing about a thousand kilos of strawberry per cycle on 3,000 sq ft, Dhakad says that it can be grown at home as well.
Arvind Dhakad, a farmer in Ratlam
â€œThe minimum space one needs is 23 square feet. If you do vertical hydroponics, then 30 pots can thrive, and cost about Rs 3,000 to set up. All you need is sunlight, water, and oxygen to kickstart your edible garden in the balcony, on the rooftop, windowsills, or even backyard,â€? Dhakad informs The Better India.
What is Hydroponic Farming & Why Dhakad Promotes It

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in a soil-free base. The roots are immersed in water and nutrients, instead of soil.
It is a system where water runs in cycles in a fixed quantity. The water needs to be changed every 15 days, a feature that eliminates the need to water the plants every day. Thus, both efforts and water resources are saved in the process.
â€œThere are multiple methods of hydroponic systems, but the main aim is to pump the right amount of nutrients and water directly to the roots. Compared to conventional farming, one can cut down almost 90 per cent of water usage due to water recirculation in hydroponics,â€? says Dhakad.

Controlled farming, feeding, and watering increase the yield significantly than what is grown in soil in the same area. Macro and micronutrients in the water are directly fed to the plant, helping it to grow faster.
One of the most significant advantages of hydroponics, says Dhakad, is the elimination of chemicals. Since the plants are grown without soil, any soil-borne diseases are prevented, â€œIf there are any bugs or pests, they can be controlled through organic fertilisers like neem oil. â€?
Dhakadâ€™s Success Story of Strawberries

Even though Dhakad belongs to a farming family, he studied BCom to pursue a stable job in Multinational companies.