Agritech startup Barton Breeze, a pioneer in Hydroponics in India, has received undisclosed funding from the Government of India for a collaborated project with German partners to develop innovative sensor-based technology that will revolutionize the Hydroponic industry.
Founded in 2015, the Gurugram-based hydroponic start-up is in the advanced stage of development and evaluation of automated sensors for a highly efficient nutrition management system in indoor vertical farming — the practice of growing farm produce in vertically stacked layers with the help of the soilless, hydroponic or aeroponic growing system.
“We are working on multiple technologies that will enhance the farm productivity. Hydroponic is one of the many tools that we have for upping the farm productivity,” said Shivendra Singh, Founder, Barton Breeze.
“The sensor will be able to aid in increasing productivity and reducing operation cost. This will take two or three years to reach its set objectives,” he added.
There has been a growing acceptance for hydroponically grown products with e-commerce and popular retail outlets in the country.
Nutritional management through fertigation is the basic requirement in vertical farming as the plants are grown in inert media. Major and micronutrient management is the major task for successful vertical farming. Hence, sensors for precise measurement, control, and supply of nutrition to the plants will be used for the detection of macronutrients, EC, and pH for fertigation management.
The Indian hydroponic market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.53 percent between 2020-2027, According to a report by DataM Intelligence.
Vertical farms can be established in towns, cities, deserts, and degraded lands for growing high-value nutritious vegetables and fruits inside protected structures. It can make an important contribution to feeding the growing global population, especially in regions where climatic conditions have significant restrictions on crop production.
