Hydroponics moves from lab to field in Jammu & Kashmir, boosting winter fodder and high-value crops
Since 2015 Dr. Gurdev Chand has led hydroponics adoption in Jammu & Kashmir, enabling year‑round fodder and vegetable production, standard protocols for diverse crops, and a NABARD-backed Rs. 314.25 lakh blueberry project.
Who/what/where/when: Hydroponics has been developed in Jammu & Kashmir since 2015 under the leadership of Dr. Gurdev Chand, transitioning the approach from research trials into practical systems available to farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
Agricultural relevance: Hydroponics is a soilless cultivation method where plants grow in nutrient-rich water in controlled environments. The system uses far less land and water than conventional farming and improves control over plant nutrition and microclimate—important factors in a Himalayan region with limited arable land and variable climate.
Research and crop protocols: Dr. Chand’s team standardized growing protocols for vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants, and other high-value horticultural species. These protocols form the technical basis for wider adoption of hydroponic and aeroponic systems across the region.
Impact on winter production: Extending hydroponic systems from Jammu into the Kashmir Valley addresses the region’s severe winters and frost periods. Controlled-environment units deliver fresh leafy fodder and vegetables during months when field vegetation is limited; fodder production cycles can be as short as about one week.
Collaboration and institutional support: Key collaborators include Dr. Bhav Kumar Sinha and Dr. Farooq Ahmad Khan, who helped coordinate research and dissemination. Institutional backing came from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu leadership, including Vice-Chancellor Dr. B. N. Tripathi and Dean Dr. Sanjay Guleria.
Training and outreach: Dr. Marvi Sharma contributed to research support, training, and documentation aimed at transferring know-how to farmers. Training programs, workshops and field demonstrations on hydroponics, aeroponics and vertical farming have been organized for farmers, students and agri-entrepreneurs to encourage uptake.
Investment and market opportunity: A notable development is a NABARD-approved project of Rs. 314.25 lakhs for blueberry cultivation in Jammu, designed to introduce and scale modern cultivation technologies and expand income opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs.
Agronomic takeaway: For the local agri-economy, hydroponics in Jammu & Kashmir offers a climate-resilient production option that reduces pressure on arable land and water, supports year‑round fodder supply for livestock, and creates pathways to diversify into high-value crops.