I feel like a politician often being quoted “out of context” and then challenged. To set the record straight, I did mention about target of 100 ton per acre and that was exclusively for Color Capsicum (not even green ones).
Now you are mentioning a cumulative average of a farmer of 24 ton per 1/4th acre (He deserves to be applauded and rightly so for doing so well using traditional system) but think this way, in US/ Canada greenhouse standard is 200 tons per acre annually for tomatoes, so in 1000 sq. mt our farmer should grow 50 tons while currently he is doing only 12 and even if we consider cumulative then still it is half the target.
When you consider salad crops things get even worst. In 1 acre you should grow more than 400 tons of Lettuce, so our target should be 100 tons for 1/4th of an acre. I also feel that no one will pay you a premium because you use some fancy technology but you will get a premium for 1) being able to produce year round 2) Quality and quantity you produce and 3) Price stability. All these 3 are not possible when you do multiple crops which are in season. So though this grower is doing great his produce is not sold at premium because he has the produce when others have it as well. Beauty of hydroponic producer is to be there with the produce any time of the year.
Frankly, I suggest that we should stop comparing traditional agriculture to hydroponics because other than “growing” there is no comparison. I always tell when asked that running a garage and a car factory are two entirely different things though both deal with “cars” and it’s “Mechanics”. If some garage owner feels he can run car factory then you know what to expect.
So now the question is what you should compare hydroponics to? Frankly don’t… When you wish to set up an industrial unit, you don’t do comparisons, you do the product market research, you then undertake a feasibility study on how to produce the product most efficiently, you look for efficiency of scale, you work out a market penetration strategies and see how you can create an USP for your product to overcome competitors.
Well…take any crop, use above approach, then you will find business viable and it won’t matter what someone else is doing. I can go on and on, but need to cap it…so here are the Golden words…“If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is”. Only way to find out is to do it yourself.
Hi Atul - This is awesome, I have seen your interview on start majha as well Keep up the good work.
Since the initial setup is pretty high, would it be possible to start a small setup and then keep expanding ? If yes, then what’s the minimum plants/land required ? approx cost for this trial project ?
Please advise.
[quote=atulkalaskar]
Average production 100 ton per acre.
Average year round price of Rs. 40 per kg
Annual Sales approx 40 lakhs
Investment Approx 35 lakh (25% subsidy from central govt)
Average annual operating cost 12-15 lakh.
[/quote]…whaav!.. Mr.atul it’s so attractive…I think it needs a lot of labour.
This is Sandeep form Bangalore just joined Farmnest. , just got know something on Hydroponic Cultivation from you post i always welcome new ideas and innovation appricate you posting i have gained lot of knowledge on Hydroponic Cultivation.
I was looking for Color Pepper Cultivation for long time but cannot afford poly house at the current finance status I do understand that I can only manage a Garage not a factory as you always mention in you post but very much interested to convert this garage into factory slowly phase by phase.
My questions here are:
• Can I grow Color Pepper under shade net (provided I do understand productivity is less under shade net) using Hydroponic method.
• Can it be grown as co-crop with arecanut plantation using Hydroponic method?
• What are the disadvantages under shade net and Arecanut plantation?
Please let me know if any other better idea apart from investment of 40-45 lakhs. I cannot give any securities for the Bank loans for the investment. I have land which is in Tumkur 25kms off Bangalore-pune highway with good water source and limited electricity of around 8-10 hours a Day. I am looking to start the project ASAP but looking for Marketing of the product before I could start. Please give me your valued inputs positive and negative.
Thanks in advance,
Thank you Sir for your corroborative information.
We are from Hyderabad. We are looking for “INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS”.
We are from Hyderabad. We want to have full information about
Hydroponic Farming being it is NEW Concept.
Kindly enlighten us whether any Consultant/Company
Providing this Hydroponic System.If so kindly provide
their Details to us at the earliest.
Thank you With Best Wishes,
MANNE.SN,B.Com.,LLB.,
9133498366, Hyderabad.
Hi Atul,
i am new to this forum, but a old capsicum grower, read experience wise, not age wise. i am really glad to see your concept. but sad at the same time as you seem to have had bad experience with soil media system.
as a grower yourself, you should get the facts right Mr.Atul. i came across your blog, and due to lack of time i couldnt read from the beginning.
i hope you are comfortable if i trouble you with some of my questions and demand explanations ?
hi again Mr.Atul,
i am awake till midnight reading the whole of your blog, thinking i would get some tips for my existing/ upcomming projects.
i noticed that you started the blog in 2011. so i am thinking if you still are growing capsicum or any other crop in hydroponics ?
plz update your current activities so we can be on the same page.
The only person who can dare “demand” explanations from me is my wife, rest can “request” one.
Having said that, let me clarify that I never had any sort of experience in soil growing myself, good or bad. I have merely stated the facts which are well known negatives of the soil farming.
Currently I am doing 2.5 acre of color capsicum farming with hydroponics technology and we are starting another 4 acres soon. We hope to do a lot but one of the major hindrance to Hydroponic farming is that it is very capital intensive. Thus we are taking it one baby step at a time.
Like any other person who ventures in “First of it’s kind” arena, we are in learning and improving mode and as we expand we will have many more answers to offer. Till that time, I will try my best to answer your queries to the best of my capabilities.
i would request justification on your claim that i (a soil media farmer) is polluting the soil or water level or what ever.
Mr.Atul, i would love to have lots of interaction/discussion with you, as you are the only capsicum grower i have come across, who has a past experience and seems to be a professional.
this will be a very long interaction as there is so much to share/discuss.
to begin with, can you share the major financial figures with breakdown (with a bit info about each heads) for your setup and systems. also as you have past experience, it would be very helpful if you could share or give an idea about the figures related to the returns.
i am also very keen in knowing as to why you opted for hydroponics and all the infrastructure i could see in some of the pictures you have posted.
also can you provide details of your latest capsicum plantation. oh and also, as you have a lot of experience and backup from american institutions, it would be great it you could share some.
Vivek
Mod edit: mellowed the tone and removed personal information
Plz note your message will be read by many members and it is important to have your justification!
there are people who are new to farming and take advice seriously considering experienced and professional growers. some of them have huge financial stakes at risk!!
Thank you Sir,
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Keep up the good work.
as you always mention in you post but very much interested to convert this garage into factory slowly phase by phase.