Australian greenhouse consultant Graeme Smith is teaming up with greenhouse grower Delish Veggies to make more farmers and entrepreneurs aware of the huge potential for hydroponic production in India. They are organizing a 5-day Greenhouse Technical Management training course in Pune from Monday 27th February to Friday 3rd March 2017.
Graeme explained that many people are unaware of the opportunities for greenhouse development in India. "When we put on special presentations for bankers and investors to discuss the questions and challenges of greenhouse growing, they understand what you can achieve with a greenhouse. But in terms of ROI, they often think it doesn't make sense since the price for vegetables on the market is too cheap. Many of them are still unaware that there is room for better quality and safely grown vegetables to serve the growing niche market."
The group of Indians who can afford better produce account for just one percent of India's population. On the other hand these are still at least 13 million people. "This growing group of middle class and uber rich people is increasingly looking for safe and more nutritious food. It's an emerging market in which people are willing to spend money on better quality food, but they can hardly find it on the local markets."
For this reason, more greenhouse operations are popping up to create a supply of safely grown, high quality vegetables. As an example, Graeme mentions Simply Fresh, a greenhouse operation in Hyderabad that was put in to operation last year. They grow a variety of hydroponic crops, from ginger and leafy greens to Asian vegetables, tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers. "They sell their produce to a higher segment of the market at very good prices and are even looking at export opportunities."
Simply Fresh in Hyderabad
Another great example is Delish Veggies, a hydroponic greenhouse farm operated by Uday Mathapati. This Indian entrepreneur also invested in greenhouse technology and trades his produce directly to a number of restaurants, hotels and chefs. Uday will also be participating in the course and will share his experience on greenhouse farming in India.
The greenhouse operations of Delish Veggies in Pune
Graeme believes that India will become an important growth market for horticultural development. "You see new systems popping up every now and then, but the country still has a long way to go. On the other hand, India has the capacity to catch up very fast. Therefore this new industry is looking to grow quite rapidly, also thanks to the support of all governments and regions who are supporting new age developments with subsidies and programs."
The course is suitable for hobby & commercial growers, suppliers, advisors, researchers and investors to understand the theoretical and practical elements of modern commercial greenhouse and hydroponic production techniques, technology and systems. It will be held in Pune from Monday 27th February to Friday 3rd March 2017.
Click here for the course flyer with contact details. Those interested are invited to contact Mr. Uday Mathapathi of Delish Veggies, to register your expression of interest to experience this all-encompassing course. Uday can be contacted on +91 9130098714 or email: udaymathapati@yahoo.com