Indoor farming is the practice of growing crops or plants inside a controlled environment, typically within structures such as green-houses, poly-houses or net-houses; or even buildings. This method of cultivation is designed to optimize various environmental factors such as light, temperature and humidity; and application of inputs such as water and nutrient to create an ideal growing situation for plants. Indoor farming offers several advantages, including year-round crop production, reduced dependency on weather, and the ability to grow crops in urban areas too. It also allows for more sustainable and resource-efficient agriculture, as water and nutrients can be recycled, and the need for pesticides may be reduced. The various forms of indoor farming include hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical farming, soil-less cultivation etc.

Hydroponics: This is a technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil, and can include an aggregate substrate, or growing media, such as vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite. As flowers, herbs, or vegetables are planted in inert growing media in controlled environment and supplied with controlled nutrient-rich solutions, oxygen, and water; there is rapid growth of plants and multi-fold enhanced yield of superior quality. Hydroponics eliminates soil and soil-borne pests and disease, so there is no need to use large amounts of pesticides.

Aeroponics: This is a technique of growing plants without soil. Instead, roots are suspended in the air and irrigated with a nutrient-dense mist. This differs from hydroponics, where plant roots are submerged in a solution of water and nutrients. The biggest advantage of aeroponics is that roots are exposed to air, thus there is never an issue of insufficient oxygen.

Aquaponics: This technique integrates aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics. Fish waste provides nutrients for the plants, and the plants help filter and purifies the water for the fish.

Vertical Farming: This is a method of cultivating crops in vertically stacked layers or vertically inclined surfaces. This type of farming aims to maximize the use of vertical space, often within an indoor environment, to grow crops in a controlled and efficient manner. Vertical farming can take place in buildings, warehouses, or dedicated vertical farming facilities.

Soil less cultivations: This is a practice of growing plants without the use of traditional soil. Instead, plants are grown in a nutrient-rich water solution, providing them with the essential minerals and nutrients needed for growth. This approach allows for precise control over the application of water and nutrients in controlled environment, leading to more efficient resource use and potentially higher crop yields. However, there are certain limitations too for indoor farming. Stricter control of environment, irrigation and nutrigation is required. Other disadvantages include: high initial construction costs, high maintenance of the system, and high level of technical knowledge.

In order to make the students, researchers, practioners, farmers and industries aware about the advances in- door cultivation technologies; and their benefits and limitation; and bring them on one platform to deliberate about the enhanced adoption of in-door farming the “International Symposium on Indoor Farming” is organized with following specific objectives.

• Dr. Prashantkumar Patil, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri.
• Dr. R.C. Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Edu.) and National Director, ICAR-NAHEP, New Delhi