Commercial Indoor NFT Hydroponic Farm

Yes, but profitability is a factor of Market Linkage and Crop Density. Unlike traditional farming, an InHydro NFT system allows for 10–12 harvest cycles per year. By targeting B2B segments (hotels, cloud kitchens, and gourmet retailers) where “Pesticide-Free” produce commands a 30–50% premium, growers can achieve higher margins. Efficiency in water and nutrient use further reduces OPEX, making it one of the most sustainable agribusiness models in the 2026 market.

The typical break-even point for a professionally managed 1,000 sq. m. project is 2.5 to 4 years. This calculation includes your initial Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) for the greenhouse and NFT hardware. The timeline can be reduced by ~30% if you secure a government subsidy and focus on “High-Velocity” crops like Italian Basil or Romaine Lettuce, which have a fast seed-to-sale turnaround.

Standard PVC pipes often contain lead and phthalates which can leach into the nutrient solution at temperatures above $28°C$. InHydro uses Lead-Free, FDA-approved HDPE/uPVC. Our channels are UV-stabilized to prevent brittleness and chemical breakdown under intense tropical sun, ensuring your “Food-Safe” certification remains valid for the 15–50 year life of the equipment.

Algae requires light to grow. Our channels are co-extruded with a specialized opaque inner layer that blocks 100% of light. By keeping the nutrient solution in total darkness, we eliminate the primary cause of algae, which otherwise competes for oxygen and attracts pests like Fungus Gnats.

If the slope is too flat (<1%), water “ponds,” leading to stagnant zones and root rot (Pythium). If it is too steep, the water moves too fast for the roots to drink. We calibrate our support structures to a precise gradient that maintains a 1–3mm “Thin Film” of water, ensuring the top of the root system is always exposed to oxygen while the bottom is always fed.

High water temperature (>30°C) cannot hold dissolved oxygen, causing “root drowning.” We mitigate this through:

• White-topped channels to reflect solar heat.

• Insulated nutrient reservoirs (underground or double-walled).

• Evaporative cooling within the greenhouse structure to maintain an ambient temperature $5–10°C$ lower than the outside.

NFT is designed for crops with small, fibrous root systems. Lettuce, Basil, Kale, and Spinach thrive because they don’t require the physical support of heavy media. Since these crops are almost 95% water, the continuous flow of the NFT system ensures they remain crisp and nutrient-dense, leading to a higher market weight.

For most leafy greens, you must maintain a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 and an EC (Electrical Conductivity) of 1.2 to 2.5 mS/cm. If the pH drifts out of this range, “Nutrient Lockout” occurs—the nutrients are in the water, but the plant cannot “see” or eat them. Our IoT systems monitor this 24/7 to prevent crop loss.

We offer A-Frame (Vertical) and Flat-Bed (Horizontal) layouts. By utilizing vertical space and precise channel spacing ($20\text{cm}$ center-to-center), we can fit up to 10–15 plants per square meter, which is 3x to 5x higher than open-field agriculture.

Yes. We handle everything from Site Feasibility and Polyhouse Construction to System Installation and Agronomy Training. We don’t just leave you with the hardware; we provide the nutrient recipes and harvest schedules needed to turn your first profit.

Absolutely. Our 2026 models are “AI-Ready.” By connecting our sensors to an AI dashboard, the system can predict nutrient deficiencies before they show up on the leaves, optimize lighting/cooling schedules to save power, and even estimate your harvest weight weeks in advance.

A commercial system requires a disciplined maintenance hierarchy to prevent the buildup of biofilm (a bacterial slime layer) and mineral salts, which can lead to pump failure or crop disease.

• Weekly “Sanitization”: This involves a routine walkthrough to check for “hot spots”—clogged emitters, leaks, or algae patches. We recommend cleaning the inline disc filters (100–120 micron) and wiping down the exterior of the channels to maintain high reflectivity and hygiene.

• Monthly “System Audit”: Completely drain the nutrient reservoir to remove accumulated sediment. Inspect the water pumps for any unusual noise or vibration and descale the impeller if you live in a hard-water area. This “reset” ensures your nutrient balance (EC/pH) remains accurate.

• Post-Harvest “Sterilization”: This is the most critical step. Between harvest cycles, the entire system must be flushed with a food-safe sterilizing agent—typically Hydrogen Peroxide ($H_2O_2$) or a mild bleach solution ($500\text{ppm}$ NaOCl). This “Deep Clean” kills any lingering microbial pathogens and breaks down organic residue, providing a “Zero-Risk” start for your next crop of seedlings.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for NFT Systems

Our commercial IPM strategy is built on four pillars to ensure a “Clean Label,” pesticide-free harvest:

• 1. Bio-Security & Prevention: We maintain a “sterile-first” environment. By keeping the root zone at 18–22°C and utilizing UV Sterilization or $H_2O_2$ micro-dosing, we eliminate Pythium (Root Rot) and algae before they can colonize the system.

• 2. Biological Controls (BCA): We deploy “beneficial” microbes like Trichoderma and Bacillus subtilis to create a protective biological shield around the roots, physically blocking pathogens through competitive exclusion.

• 3. Mechanical Barriers: All InHydro structures feature 40/50-mesh insect netting and air-locked entries to exclude airborne vectors like Thrips and Whiteflies. We use Sticky Traps as an early-detection “radar” to monitor pest activity 24/7.

• 4. Botanical Remedies: For localized issues, we use cold-pressed Neem Oil and potassium soaps. These disrupt pest growth and feeding patterns without leaving chemical residues, ensuring your produce remains safe and market-ready.