AI powered Hydroponics: The Future of Smart Farming by Dr. Jayanthi Ranjan (VC), Sharda University

Agriculture has undergone transformations and revolutions, especially the green revolution with systematic pre and post harvesting by the deployment of disruptive innovations. Agriculture, through smart farming practices, is undergoing the fourth revolution that is triggered exponentially by the increasing deployment of information and communication technologies.

Artificial intelligence (AI) being one of the essential components of the fourth revolution, is driving the farming industry, leading to the benefits of end-users (farmers) by adapting the best practices of innovations. Hydroponics, being an emerging farming practice, nurtures farming practices by optimizing the space at an affordable cost. The concept of hydroponics is a farming technique to grow smart farm within a green house. The ‘Smart Farm’ is a soilless model and a vertical hybrid setup that can house several thousands of plants in a confined space optimally. The hydroponics technique enables the cultivation of garden greens such as Lettuce, Kale, Brussels sprout, Parsley, Radish, Bok choy etc. in a greenhouse.

The merging of AI with hydroponics technology ensures data precession in farming and has a plethora of benefits:

• AI Seed Profiling: The major key of hydroponics farm is the Germination. The idea is to carry out special turf-like Coco peat (i.e. coir fiber). In fact, the seeds evolve to germinate and obtain the required growth; after that, they are re-potted in to soilless vertical setup. The AI hands-shake with hydroponics to perform the profiling of seed thereby determine the rate of germination for variety of plants.

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• AI Plant Nutrients: Careful nutrients in measured quantities being essential for the sapling in a hydroponic farm. The optimal usage of nutrients-based crop profiles may be successfully executed through AI techniques in hydroponic farming.

• AI Greenhouse: In order to have successful hydroponic farming there are several parameters that must be controlled especially the temperature, moisture, humidity and sunlight. The application of AI can automate and regulate the different parameters effectively through software solutions. AI also helps collect the data, modulate the parameters on a real-time mode. The AI ensures the farmers to adapt smart practices for variety of crops inside the green house.

• AI Irrigation System: AI in hydroponics also finds immense importance in simulating the automated irrigation system inside the green house to achieve the desired results at affordable cost.

AI driven Smart Hydroponics consists of micro hardware and software to automate the variety of parameters such as electrical conductivity levels, pH levels and nutrient dispense. AI can also determine temperature, light density, and (dampness) humidity levels and a high Terapixel HD visual camera to monitor the coloration of the plants.

Precession AI in hydroponics maintain the excellent balance between the environment and feed control through remote control. The application of AI in hydroponics makes a paradigm shift of the farmers from conventional to Tech Savvy Agri-preneurs.

Agriculture market trends

Globally nonetheless, the plunge will be a whopping $17.9 billion by 2026.
Worldwide including India, intricate hydroponics farming is initiating startups in rural and urban areas. The angel investors also show keen interest on the greenhouse hydroponics. India is witnessing the growth of startups in AI powered hydroponics technology.

Disclaimer: This content was distributed by Sharda University and has been published as part of Careers360’s marketing initiative.