In Sumerganj village of Chehrakalan block, Vaishali district, a young farmer's innovation is transforming the way crops are grown. Arun Kumar has adopted hydroponics—a soilless farming technique that uses nutrient-rich water instead of soil—to cultivate vegetables and train fellow farmers in this modern agricultural practice.
Hydroponic farming involves placing plant roots directly into water infused with essential nutrients and oxygen. This method, still rare in rural Bihar, allows crops to grow faster and healthier while reducing dependence on fertile land.
Arun Kumar's journey into hydroponic farming began two years ago when he watched a video on his mobile phone showing a money plant thriving in water. "I thought, if a money plant can grow like that, why not vegetables?" he recalled.
He began experimenting with a small piece of PVC pipe, drilling several holes and planting four to five vegetable seedlings in it. With proper water and fertilizer management, the plants flourished and began yielding fruits within weeks. Encouraged by the results, Arun researched advanced hydroponic systems online and even learned about Israeli farming techniques through Google.
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