“Coming next is climate-resilient, high-yield hybrids made for India’s conditions”

By Pune Media On Jul 25, 2025

Hydroponics in India is gradually moving beyond a niche practice to a practical solution, especially in urban areas, says Suryaprakash Kukyan, CEO at Simply Fresh. “Rising health awareness and advances in technology have boosted its adoption, with tier-1 cities and agribusiness startups leading the charge,” he adds.

“Leafy greens such as lettuce, basil, spinach, rocket, and kale remain the most popular hydroponic crops, demanded for salads and clean-eating. Recently, colored capsicum, cherry tomatoes, and herbs have also gained traction in restaurants, cloud kitchens, and retail chains, highlighting growth on both consumer and business fronts,” Kukyan adds.

According to him, urban demand for residue-free produce, improved cold chain logistics, e-commerce, government support for smart agriculture, and advances in automation and IoT systems have contributed to the growth of the Indian hydroponics industry, with the pandemic further heightening consumer focus on clean, healthy food.

Kukyan points to the capital-intensive nature of hydroponics, requiring significant investment in infrastructure, automation, and supply chains. “Investor participation, especially from global backers is crucial for scaling sustainably and tapping into India’s large market and export potential,” he shares.

Kukyan also highlights the challenge of hydroponic produce being perceived as synthetic or too expensive in India. “Growers like us are engaging customers via tasting counters, farm tours, and traceability through storytelling,” he says. “Additional hurdles include high setup costs and a shortage of skilled labor, met through training, standardized processes, and technology adoption.”

Some of Simply Fresh’s customer concerns are achieving shelf life without preservatives, maintaining price parity with conventional vegetables, and ensuring supply consistency during peak seasons. To this, producers are responding by streamlining production, enhancing logistics, and improving customer education through clear labels and digital content.

In terms of technology adoption, Simply Fresh embraces AI-based climate controls, sensor-driven nutrient delivery systems, and a proprietary software called Farm in the Box (FIAB) to ensure end-to-end transparency from seed to shelf.

Looking ahead, Kukyan says they will be expanding into commercial hybrid seed production, starting with pepper in collaboration with global breeders: “We are looking to create climate-resilient, high-yield hybrids suited to local conditions. Tomatoes and cucumbers are great targets for hybrid development due to their demand and compatibility with protected cultivation.”

For more information:
Suryaprakash Kukyan
Simply Fresh Private Limited
Tel: +91 98 45 598 989
Email: [email protected]
www.simplyfresh.co.in

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