Discover Dr. V.P. Sethi innovative Hybrid Hydroponics Technology from Punjab Agricultural University. This breakthrough system combines two hydroponic methods to boost yields and cut water usage, revolutionizing sustainable farming.

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) recently made headlines for developing and patenting India first indigenous Hybrid Hydroponic Technology (HHT). This innovation, spearheaded by Dr. V. P. Sethi, head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, promises to reduce water wastage by an impressive 90%.

As climate change and global warming escalate, meeting the agricultural demands of a growing population with existing methods is becoming increasingly difficult. Researchers worldwide are actively seeking sustainable solutions to enhance food production, and this development is a significant step forward.

Dr. Sethi emphasizes the importance of the Hybrid Hydroponic Technology (HHT), stating, uch a technology is essential for multiple reasons. During my travels to countries like the US, Canada, and Japan, I witnessed scientists dedicated to advancing agricultural technologies in their own nations. However, India lacked an indigenous hydroponics farming technology. While some startups in India are adopting hydroponics, most of these systems are imported from countries like Israel or Japan.

India First Indigenous Hybrid Hydroponic Technology

Dr. Sethi, a former student and current faculty member of the university, has devoted nearly three decades to the research and development of sustainable technologies.

Dr. Sethi shares that it took five years of dedicated research and development, working with a small team of scholars and experts from the Departments of Botany, Chemistry, Soil, and Vegetable Sciences, to perfect the technology. With HHT, we achieved improved water and nutrient perforation, along with an efficient recirculation system for pot-based substrate hydroponics, he explains.

Pioneering Hydroponics Innovation in India

Born in 1968 in Ludhiana, Punjab, Dr. Sethi academic journey began with a bachelor in Agriculture Engineering and a master in Mechanical Engineering. It was during his postdoctoral fellowship in the US that he encountered Dr. Chiwong Lee, a Korean professor specializing in hydroponics.

Inspired by Dr. Lee research on hydroponic substrates, Dr. Sethi returned to India with the goal of developing a unique hydroponics system. He introduced the concept of a Hybrid Hydroponics System to his university, which took nearly ten years to refine. After five years of development and another five years to secure patent rights, Dr. Sethi and PAU were granted the patent in November 2021.

Merging Water and Substrate-Based Systems

Hydroponics can be categorized into two types: water-based and substrate-based systems. Dr. Sethi innovation combines both, leveraging the strengths of each approach.

With initial seed funding of Rs 5,00,000 from the university, Dr. Sethi embarked on his research to develop the hybrid technology. He created a small greenhouse with a capacity of 250 plants, dedicating nearly two years to perfect the system. After another three years of testing, he applied for a patent.

The development process involved several trials and errors, as Dr. Sethi realized that while soil-less farming is familiar, most technologies rely on water from reservoirs being transferred to pots. His breakthrough came through the integration of the two systems for greater efficiency.

The Power of Water Recirculation

In traditional hydroponics, water not absorbed by the plants often goes to waste. Dr. Sethi Hybrid Hydroponics Technology addresses this by implementing a recirculation technique.

The system uses a porous plate between the pots, where the lower section holds a shallow water pond, and the upper section contains the substrate. The innovation lies in the pressure equilibrium maintained by the plate, ensuring consistent pressure at both ends of the pot.

This unique design allows the plant roots to breathe and grow efficiently, while also ensuring that the top portion of the plant receives ample oxygen, creating a balanced environment for optimal growth.

Dr. Sethi recirculation system in Hybrid Hydroponics ensures that nearly 90% of the water is conserved, with no water wasted. By reusing every drop, the technology promotes sustainability while maximizing plant growth efficiency.

Boosting Quality and Yield with Hybrid Hydroponics

Dr. Sethi Hybrid Hydroponics system also incorporates the precise spraying of essential minerals and nutrients to ensure top-quality produce. The technology underwent a rigorous two-year testing phase, where crops like cucumber, tomato, and capsicum were cultivated. The results showed that his system accelerated growth and significantly outperformed traditional pot-based systems such as the bato bucket and grow bag-based models in soilless cultivation.

The system is also labor-efficient, as it operates fully automatically. Timers are pre-set to deliver the necessary nutrients, reducing manual intervention and aligning the feeding schedule with the plant specific needs.

The Need for Hybrid Hydroponics Technology in India

Dr. Sethi highlights several key reasons for the importance of Hybrid Hydroponics Technology in India. One major advantage is the potential to use barren land for food production. The system is versatile, allowing crops to be grown in spaces ranging from closed rooms to small terraces, making it accessible to both farmers and urban gardeners.

Moreover, the technology presents a significant opportunity for employment. Dr. Sethi believes that anyone, from a homemaker with a spare room to an unemployed youth, can learn to use the system with minimal training. It enables individuals to grow their own food and even sell the surplus in local markets.

Additionally, the technology water-saving benefits are substantial. Depending on the plant, HHT can save between 60% and 90% of water, addressing water scarcity concerns. Dr. Sethi is also working on plans to make this technology more accessible to local farmers, further expanding its reach and impact.

Dr. Sethi Vision for Hydroponics in India

While many hydroponics systems in India are imported from Israel or China, driving up costs, Dr. Sethi Hybrid Hydroponics Technology cuts the expense by threefold. This reduction in cost makes the technology much more accessible to farmers and users across the country.

To further ease adoption, Dr. Sethi is in the process of creating a manual for farmers and other users, and is even open to selling the commercial rights of the technology to industries. This could further expand its reach and impact.

Having traveled globally and observed various farming technologies, Dr. Sethi is particularly proud of his invention. “The hybrid approach, combining substrate and water-based systems, is unique to our technology and not found anywhere else in the world. We proudly call it swadeshi (made in India),” he says.

Designed with India small land holdings in mind, the system is well-suited for small-scale farmers. Dr. Sethi vision aligns with the principle of “sabka vikas” (development for all), as his technology promises to empower farmers and enhance food security across the nation.

Edited by Gayathri