Daily Current Affairs : 12-August-2023
In the realm of agricultural innovation, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Bengaluru (IIHR) has unveiled a groundbreaking approach known as Cocoponics. This method, a derivative of hydroponics, introduces a new dimension to soilless vegetable production by utilizing cocopeat as a substrate. The emergence of hydroponics and its variant, cocoponics, marks a significant departure from conventional farming practices, ushering in enhanced productivity and efficient resource utilization.
Exploring the Potential of Hydroponics
Hydroponics, a progressive alternative to traditional farming techniques, encompasses cultivation without the dependency on soil. This approach not only fosters enhanced productivity but also promotes the judicious use of water resources. It stands as a sustainable and efficient methodology for crop cultivation. While currently, hydroponics predominantly finds its application in urban farming, rooftop gardening, and commercial agricultural endeavors, its influence is steadily expanding.
The Genesis of Cocoponics
Cocoponics, a brainchild of the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Bengaluru (IIHR), an affiliate of ICAR, represents a specialized version of hydroponics tailored to suit Indian conditions. At its core, cocoponics involves the soilless cultivation of vegetables, leveraging cocopeat as the substrate. This innovation stems from the realization that cocopeat, a byproduct of coconut husks, holds immense potential as a growth medium for various vegetable crops.
Unveiling the Achievements: IIHR’s Cocoponics Breakthrough
IIHR’s dedicated efforts have culminated in the comprehensive development of cocoponics technology. This encompasses not only the cultivation methodology but also a meticulously formulated liquid nutrient blend named Arka Sasya Poshak Ras. This nutrient solution serves as the lifeblood for the thriving of a diverse range of crops, including zucchini, colored cabbage, chili, brinjal, spinach, amaranthus, coriander, cucumber, French beans, peas, cowpea, dolichos, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, okra, radish, tomato, and exotic leafy vegetables like lettuce, parsley, broccoli, and bok choy. These crops flourish atop Arka fermented cocopeat, employed as the growth substrate. Furthermore, the technique’s versatility is underscored by its successful application both in open-field conditions and within controlled environments.
The Advantages Unveiled
The emergence of cocoponics ushers in a host of advantages that contribute to its growing popularity:
- Enhanced Crop Quality: The controlled environment and nutrient-rich substrate yield crops of superior quality, free from soil-borne diseases.
- Resource Efficiency: Cocoponics optimizes water usage, addressing the concern of water scarcity in agriculture.
- Space Utilization: Ideal for urban settings, cocoponics maximizes space usage through vertical gardening and rooftop cultivation.
- Year-Round Cultivation: The controlled environment enables year-round cultivation, overcoming seasonal limitations.
Important Points:
- Hydroponics and Its Significance:
- Hydroponics as an alternative to traditional farming methods.
- Soilless cultivation for increased productivity and efficient water use.
- Widely used in urban farming, rooftop gardening, and commercial agriculture.
- Genesis of Cocoponics:
- Cocoponics developed by IIHR, a part of ICAR, tailored to Indian context.
- Soilless cultivation of vegetables, cocopeat as growth medium.
- IIHR’s Cocoponics Breakthrough:
- Comprehensive cocoponics technology developed.
- Arka Sasya Poshak Ras, a formulated liquid nutrient blend.
- Successful cultivation of diverse crops on Arka fermented cocopeat.
- Crops include zucchini, colored cabbage, chili, brinjal, and exotic leafy vegetables.
- Advantages of Cocoponics:
- Enhanced Crop Quality: Controlled environment ensures disease-free, high-quality crops.
- Resource Efficiency: Optimized water use addresses water scarcity.
- Space Utilization: Ideal for urban settings with vertical gardening and rooftop cultivation.
- Year-Round Cultivation: Controlled conditions enable continuous crop growth.
- Agriculture’s New Dawn:
- Cocoponics represents significant advancement in agriculture.
- Adapting hydroponics to Indian conditions for enhanced productivity and sustainability.
- Potential to revolutionize urban farming and commercial agriculture.
Why In News
The innovative technique, Cocoponics, pioneered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Indian Institute of Horticulture Research in Bengaluru (IIHR), revolutionizes hydroponics by employing cocopeat as an exceptional substrate for soilless vegetable cultivation. This groundbreaking approach not only enhances resource efficiency but also showcases ICAR-IIHR’s dedication to advancing sustainable agricultural practices in India and beyond.
MCQs about Cocoponics
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Which institute developed Cocoponics?
A) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
B) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR), Bengaluru
C) Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore
D) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
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What is the primary advantage of Cocoponics in terms of resource usage?
A) Maximizing space usage
B) Ensuring disease-free crops
C) Optimizing water usage
D) Enabling year-round cultivation
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Which crops can be successfully cultivated using Cocoponics technology?
A) Only traditional Indian crops
B) Exotic leafy vegetables exclusively
C) A wide range of vegetables, including zucchini, chili, spinach, and more
D) Only crops suitable for open-field conditions
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