“Gardening is not just a hobby for me, it’s a constant journey of learning and discovering more about the flowers that surround me. The joy of watching something grow from nothing is a feeling I wish everyone could experience,” says Sujata Agarwal, a resident of Jharsuguda, Odisha. She has made a name for herself in the world of hydroponics and microgreens farming.

“I inherited my love for flowers from my mother,” she recalls fondly. “From an early age, flowers were not just decorations but sources of peace and joy for me.” After marrying Pawan Kumar Agarwal, she continued her gardening hobby by maintaining a small terrace garden at home. “My garden features an array of flowers like roses, gerberas, marigolds, and hibiscus. Currently, I cultivate more than 250 different varieties of roses in my garden,” she tells The Better India.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, the passionate gardener found herself at home with plenty of time on her hands. Prior to the lockdown, she had been busy teaching abacus, Odissi dance, and drawing to children. But with everything shut down, she turned to her phone for distraction. It was then that she stumbled upon the concept of hydroponics farming.

Passion for flowers turned into a farming venture

“I had never heard of hydroponics before, but it intrigued me. I knew I wanted to try it, but I had no idea where to start,” she says. Armed with immense curiosity and thirst to learn, she threw herself into online research, learning everything she could about the soilless farming technique. “By 2021, I set up a 320-planter hydroponic system in a 100 sq ft room in my home. I purchased the hydroponic system online from a retailer in Noida and set it up inside my hall. Ideally, if you can place the system outdoors where it can receive plenty of sunlight, you are all set,” she explains.

“At first, I didn’t see much growth. I kept researching, learning through trial and error, and by the third harvest, I saw fruitful results,” she adds.

Sujata’s initial investment for the hydroponic system was Rs 25,000, with an additional Rs 500 spent on seeds and nutrients. “I had to buy the system with grow lights, which made it a bit more expensive. But the lighting was essential since I was setting it up indoors,” she explains.

Her first harvest was modest, but as she continued refining her technique, the results improved. Initially, she grew a variety of vegetables, primarily for her family’s consumption. However, as production increased and the surplus grew, she began selling her excess produce. To understand the market for these vegetables, she researched and discovered that items like lettuce, red cabbage, broccoli, and parsley were being imported into Jharsuguda from cities like Pune and Bengaluru.

“I approached local cafes and restaurants, informing them that I was growing these vegetables at home. The local businesses were surprised, as they believed such produce couldn’t be grown in Odisha due to the region’s harsh weather conditions. They visited my home to see the hydroponic system. Impressed by the quality and freshness, they placed their orders, and now, I sell my produce to them regularly,” she explains.

In the beginning, she kept her prices low to........

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