Job Role Guide  |  Agriculture Sector

Lettuce growing on a city rooftop with its roots dangling in water and not a speck of soil in sight. Sounds like science fiction? It is hydroponics, and it is already happening in India.

A hydroponics technician sets up and runs systems where plants grow in nutrient-rich water instead of soil. Methods such as NFT, deep water culture and drip systems allow leafy greens, herbs and vegetables to grow in small spaces using less water. With urban farming and fresh-produce demand rising, these technicians are valued in cities and polyhouse farms alike.

What will you learn?

• What hydroponics is and where it is used
• Setting up a hydroponic system (NFT, DWC, drip)
• Preparing and monitoring nutrient solutions
• Maintaining the system and managing pests
• Harvesting and marketing soil-less produce

A day in the life

Tools & equipment in the lab (40)

Green house/ Hydroponics Unit	Growing chamber	Reservoir/ Water tank
EC meter	PH meter	Submersible pump
Delivery system	Simple timer	Nutrient pump/ Fertigation Unit
Air pumps	Grow lights	Transplanting trowel
Secateur	Water can	Pruning knife
Super cut	Seed boxes	Thinning scissor
Hand Cultivator	Hand weeder	Weeding fork
Plastic applicators	Plastic recipients	Small Trowel
Rake	Sprayer	Duster
Thermometer	Lux meter/Light meter	Misting
Digital electronic temperature indicator	Radiation measuring instrument	Temperature & humidity control system
Automatic shade system	Fogging and blackout	Drip and sprinkler system
Fan	Pad	Ventilator
Hygrometer

Skills you will build

• Assembling NFT, deep water culture and drip hydroponic setups
• Measuring and adjusting nutrient strength with an EC meter
• Keeping solution pH in the right range for plant uptake
• Maintaining pumps, timers and grow lights for steady operation
• Recording daily readings and spotting root or leaf problems early

Where you can work

• Urban rooftop and indoor vertical farms
• Commercial polyhouses using soil-less systems
• Hydroponic kit suppliers and installation services
• Research labs and agricultural training centres

Estimated lab setup cost

Approximate Indian market rates (Oct 2026, incl. GST) for the curriculum item list. For budget planning only; get final quotes from vendors.

Questions students ask

Why are EC and pH meters so important in hydroponics?

With no soil to buffer mistakes, plants depend completely on the solution. The EC meter shows how much fertiliser is dissolved, and the pH meter shows whether roots can absorb it. Checking both daily prevents nutrient burn, deficiency and slow growth.

Can I start a small hydroponic farm at home?

Many people begin with a few channels on a terrace or balcony growing leafy greens and herbs. Starting small helps you learn system care and find buyers such as neighbours or cafes. Expanding later requires planning for power backup, water quality and steady sales.

What further study helps a hydroponics technician grow?

Courses in horticulture, agriculture, plant science or agricultural engineering after Class 12 deepen your understanding of plant nutrition and system design. Learning basic electronics and sensor-based automation is also useful, as many modern hydroponic farms use automated monitoring and control.

Hydroponics brings fresh food closer to the people who eat it. Master the readings, keep systems clean, and you could help shape how Indian cities feed themselves.