Sustainable Urban Farming
Urban Hydroponic
Farming
SPRING S E S S I O N 2025
Problem Statement & Relevance
Cities are expanding rapidly, Food transported from rural
leaving less land available for areas increases costs and
farming. carbon emissions.
There is an urgent need for local, Traditional agriculture consumes
sustainable, and efficient farming huge amounts of water and
solutions. energy.
Proposed
Sustainable
Business Idea
The idea is to establish urban
hydroponic farms on rooftops and
underutilized city spaces, where crops
are grown without soil using nutrient-
rich water. This method ensures fresh,
pesticide-free produce, reduces water
consumption by up to 90%, and
minimizes transportation costs by
growing food directly within cities. It
offers a sustainable and scalable Urban hydroponics enables fresh food access in
city landscapes.
model to meet rising urban food
demand.
Goals &
Objectives
The primary goal of urban hydroponic farming is to
create a sustainable and efficient food production
system within cities. In the short term, the objective is
to launch pilot hydroponic farms in key urban areas to
demonstrate feasibility and raise awareness. Over the
medium term, the focus will be on scaling operations
through partnerships with residential societies,
restaurants, and local markets. In the long run, the
vision is to build a network of interconnected urban
farms that ensure year-round access to fresh produce,
reduce reliance on traditional supply chains, and make
cities more resilient, self-sufficient, and
environmentally sustainable.
Target Market & Beneficiaries
Identifying who benefits from urban hydroponic farming and how it adds value to
them.
Communities &
Urban Consumers: Commercial Buyers:
Environment:
Urban households are a Local governments, city
Restaurants, hotels,
primary target as they planners, and communities
supermarkets, and
demand fresh, healthy, benefit from greener
retail food chains are
and pesticide-free cities, reduced food miles,
key beneficiaries. They
vegetables. Rising and enhanced
require a consistent and
health awareness and sustainability. The
reliable supply of high-
lifestyle changes make initiative helps create eco-
hydroponic produce quality produce, which
friendly urban ecosystems
highly appealing to city hydroponic farms can
while supporting food
residents. deliver year-round.
security.
Value Proposition & Uniqueness
Fresh & Healthy Efficient Use of Year-Round Unique Model
Produce Resources Production for Cities
Hydroponic farming delivers The system uses up to 90% The use of advanced By integrating rooftop
pesticide-free, nutrient- less water and optimizes technology in hydroponics, farming with IoT-based
rich, and fresh vegetables, space by growing vertically, such as automated systems monitoring and
directly addressing the making it ideal for densely for monitoring pH levels, automation, this model
growing demand for safe populated urban areas. light, and moisture, stands out as a scalable
and healthy food in cities. Such efficiency makes streamlines the farming and tech-driven solution
This ensures consumers farming sustainable even in process. This integration for sustainable urban
enjoy farm-to-table quality resource-scarce allows for precise control living.
without harmful chemicals. environments. over growing conditions, It positions cities as
leading to higher yields and innovation hubs for
resource efficiency. modern agriculture.
Implementation
Strategy &
Operations
The implementation will begin with identifying suitable
rooftops and underutilized urban spaces, followed by
installing modular hydroponic systems tailored for city
environments. Operations will be supported by IoT and
automation technologies to monitor water, light, and
nutrient levels, ensuring maximum efficiency and yield.
Distribution will be managed through direct-to-consumer
subscriptions and B2B partnerships with restaurants and
retailers. As the model grows, it will expand into a franchise
or cooperative system, making hydroponics a scalable and
community-driven solution for sustainable urban farming.
Comparing
Hydroponics and
Traditional Farming:
Unique Benefits and
Shared Traits Both methods provide
food, support
Soil-dependent,
Water-efficient, traditional methods,
This comparison highlights the distinct advantages space-saving, and
agriculture, and
and often weather-
require careful
and common features of hydroponics and faster growth cycles management.
dependent
traditional farming methods.
A pilot hydroponic farm requires an initial investment of
₹15–20 lakhs, with relatively low ongoing costs due to
minimal water and energy use. Revenue streams include
direct sales to households, restaurant tie-ups, and
subscription models, ensuring steady cash flow. With
efficient operations and rising urban demand, the project
is expected to achieve break-even within 2–3 years,
proving its economic viability and long-term sustainability.
Financial Projections & Feasibility
Social & Environmental
Impact (SDGs)
Urban hydroponic farming contributes directly to multiple
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by improving food
security, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting
responsible resource use. It supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
by ensuring affordable local produce, enhances SDG 11
(Sustainable Cities) by creating greener and resilient
urban spaces, and advances SDG 12 & 13 through reduced
food miles, efficient water use, and lower environmental
impact. This model not only benefits people but also
fosters a healthier and more sustainable urban ecosystem.
Risk Assessment & Mitigation
High Setup Cost Technical Challenges Low Public Awareness Market Uncertainty:
The initial investment Failures in equipment Many urban residents Demand fluctuations
for hydroponic systems or nutrient are unfamiliar with may affect sales
can be expensive, which management can affect hydroponics and its initially. Starting with
may discourage yields. Regular training benefits. Conducting B2B partnerships and
adoption. This can be programs, expert community workshops, subscription models
mitigated through monitoring, and use of awareness campaigns, ensures a stable
phased investments, reliable technology will and demo projects will customer base while
government subsidies, help minimize risks. build acceptance and gradually expanding
and public-private trust. to households.
partnerships.
Conclusion & Future Scope
Urban hydroponic farming presents a
transformative solution to the challenges of
food security, resource scarcity, and
sustainability in cities. By producing fresh,
local, and pesticide-free food with minimal
environmental impact, it directly supports
healthier communities and greener urban
ecosystems. Looking ahead, the integration of
AI, renewable energy, and smart city planning
can further expand its potential, making
hydroponics a cornerstone of future urban
development. The long-term vision is to create
self-sufficient, resilient, and sustainable cities
where farming becomes an essential part of
modern urban life.
