The technology of aeroponic was tried by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) way back in 1924. NASA used this technology to grow vegetables without making use of soil. Now, Coimbatore-based K. Prabhu Sankar, Managing Director of Thanyas Organic Private Limited has brought this technology to our city. He has created a model where vegetables can be grown almost anywhere at home and in commercial spaces with natural sunlight and water.

“I started R&D on this project in 2011 in a piece of land that is owned by me. It worked well and I have decided to make this technology available to all through my commercial venture.” 43-year old Prabhu shares. Explaining to us how this model works, he shows us how 18-growth parameters are optimized with equipment and machinery like chillers, green house effect, mist foggers, de- humidification machinery among others. Since no soil is used in this aeroponic technology, Prabhu prescribes the usage of a mineral solution that has been created in-house.

Through this technology, vegetables like carrot, tomato, chilli, brinjal, greens, mint, cauliflower among other vegetables that are essential for a family can be cultivated at home effortlessly. Since there is no soil involved, Prabhu shares with us that aeroponic technology that is free from bacteria and virus.

Pots have been replaced with thermocol boards that measure 10*15 feet. Each block of thermocol can hold about a dozen plants this way. Sponge is used to support the roots of the vegetables and once they grow up to a certain height, one of the free ends are tied using a string to an overhead rope for support.

Prabhu can set this up in people’s homes and in just 12-days time, he assures that there will be noticeable growth in the vegetables through the aeroponic technology.