Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil, and can include a growing media, such as vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite. A Hydroponics Technician grows plants using the hydroponics farming method. The individual is also responsible for setting and maintaining a hydroponic farm apart from maintaining, harvesting and marketing the plants grown at the farm.
Personal Competencies
You enjoy Science
You like gardening
You would like to start your own business
Entry Pathway
Minimum Qualification
1. Complete 10+2 in any stream
OR
Earn two years of work experience
OR
Complete Class 10 followed by an ITI course (Engineering or Non-Engineering)
2. Enrol for National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)* level 3 Certificate course - Hydroponics Technician
OR
Complete a Bachelor's in Agriculture/Plant Science/Horticulture
* NSQF is a nationally integrated education and competency-based framework that enables persons to acquire desired competency levels in a chosen field. NSQF includes vocational education, vocational training, general education and technical education which prepares an individual for the job market with competent skills. An individual may return at any time to upgrade skills after gaining experience
• National Scholarship Portal - Please visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different Departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes.* • Please visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI • Scholarships are also available in the Institutes based on merit
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
Loans
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA).
• Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc.
• All banks give education loans.
Where will you work?
Places of Work: Agritech Startups, Government Agriculture Department, Agriculture Companies, Greenhouse and others
Entrepreneurship: You can start your own business
Work Environment: It is not a desk job. You will not head a team. Local travel is a part of the job. Part-time work and contractual jobs may be available. You are likely to work 9 hours every day 6 days a week. Overtime may be required. Shift system may be available
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Expected Growth Path
Assistant Technician → Hydroponic Technician/Farmer → Owner of Business
Expected Income
The approx. income of a Hydroponic Technician ranges between INR 35,000 - 57,000* per month.
Twenty-year-old Kajal is an IGNOU first-year B.Sc (Zoology) student. She took the course on hydroponics at the Hydroponics Horticulture Training Facility, Delhi provided by the government. She said she took the training because she wanted to establish her own business. "My father works at a private factory, and I come from a humble background. Right now, there are very few persons in the market who can meet the increased demand for exotic veggies and organic products," the Paharganj resident, said.*
Hydroponics Technician
NCS Code: NA | V103Minimum Qualification
1. Complete 10+2 in any stream
OR
Earn two years of work experience
OR
Complete Class 10 followed by an ITI course (Engineering or Non-Engineering)
2. Enrol for National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)* level 3 Certificate course - Hydroponics Technician
OR
Complete a Bachelor's in Agriculture/Plant Science/Horticulture
* NSQF is a nationally integrated education and competency-based framework that enables persons to acquire desired competency levels in a chosen field. NSQF includes vocational education, vocational training, general education and technical education which prepares an individual for the job market with competent skills. An individual may return at any time to upgrade skills after gaining experience
• List of NSDC training partners - https://www.nsdcindia.org/find-nsdc-training-centre
• List of centres under Jan Shikshan Sansthan in each districts - https://nsdcindia.org/find-nsdc-training-centre-jss
• NIOS training centres - https://voc.nios.ac.in/registration/locate-study-centre
• NSQF centres - https://www.aicte-india.org/sites/default/files/Vocational%20institutions%20272%20recommended%20AY%202020-21.pdf
• A majority of government schemes are free
Scholarships
• National Scholarship Portal - Please visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different Departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes.*
• Please visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI
• Scholarships are also available in the Institutes based on merit
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
Loans
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA).
• Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc.
• All banks give education loans.
Places of Work: Agritech Startups, Government Agriculture Department, Agriculture Companies, Greenhouse and others
Entrepreneurship: You can start your own business
Work Environment: It is not a desk job. You will not head a team. Local travel is a part of the job. Part-time work and contractual jobs may be available. You are likely to work 9 hours every day 6 days a week. Overtime may be required. Shift system may be available
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Assistant Technician → Hydroponic Technician/Farmer → Owner of Business
The approx. income of a Hydroponic Technician ranges between INR 35,000 - 57,000* per month.
Source: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/hydroponics-technician/india/kolkata
*These figures are indicative and subject to change
Experts from the field
Twenty-year-old Kajal is an IGNOU first-year B.Sc (Zoology) student. She took the course on hydroponics at the Hydroponics Horticulture Training Facility, Delhi provided by the government. She said she took the training because she wanted to establish her own business. "My father works at a private factory, and I come from a humble background. Right now, there are very few persons in the market who can meet the increased demand for exotic veggies and organic products," the Paharganj resident, said.*
Source: https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/hydroponic-farming-government-is-providing-special-training-to-women/
*The above information is for training purposes only and will not be used for any commercial gains
vertical farming, hydroponics technician, hydroponic farm manager