Bengaluru, 28 January 2026: On 28 January 2026, a delegation of 26 students and 8 faculty members from the Faculty of Engineering & Technology, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, visited the Hydroponics Research and Demonstration Facility at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), GKVK. The visit offered immersive, hands-on exposure to advanced soilless farming technologies, including the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Dutch Bucket systems, and vertical hydroponic towers.

Participants explored key aspects of controlled environment agriculture, observing live systems for nutrient management, water recirculation, and microclimate regulation within protected shade-net structures. These interactions highlighted the role of technology in enabling consistent, resource-efficient crop production when compared to conventional soil-based farming methods.

During technical sessions, students and faculty gained in-depth insights into pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) monitoring, root-zone aeration, and seedling propagation, supported by live demonstrations and expert explanations. Interactive discussions addressed the scientific principles, operational challenges, and commercial scalability of hydroponic systems. Practical observations, including algae control in nutrient tanks and fibrous root development, effectively bridged classroom theory with real-world agricultural practices, emphasising the importance of engineering-led innovation in sustainable food production.

This interdisciplinary visit significantly enriched FET’s curriculum in sustainable agriculture, smart farming, and agri-tech innovation, integrating domains such as Computer Science, IoT, Data Science, and Mechanical Engineering with modern agricultural applications. The experience strengthened academic understanding and inspired students to explore emerging careers in agribusiness, environmental technology, and sustainable development. Such engagements underscore JAIN (Deemed-to-be University)’s commitment to experiential learning and to preparing a future-ready workforce capable of addressing global challenges in food security and sustainability.