𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐦𝐨

Kinley Wangmo, a forward-thinking entrepreneur, launched her hydroponic venture in 2020. Today, she graciously imparts her profound understanding of hydroponic technology, highlighting its myriad benefits and transformative capabilities. Wangmo’s entrepreneurial journey epitomizes the integration of traditional agricultural wisdom with contemporary methods, presenting a sustainable pathway for agriculture’s future. Her expertise paves the way for leveraging hydroponics to innovate food production methods and promote environmental sustainability.

Q: What is Hydroponics, and what prompted you to start Bhutan Hydroponics initially?
A: Firstly, I want to thank Bhutan Today for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Face to Face program. I am Kinley Wangmo, originally from Mongar. Actually, hydroponics was initially adapted by Israel, and it is very new in our country. Hydroponics literally means “hydro” for water and “ponos” for labor. In hydroponics, the use of soil is zero, and 95% of the water we use is reused.
I actually started Bhutan Hydroponics in the year 2020 as an experimental project and got licensed in 2022. The idea for the business was actually given by one of my brothers. He suggested that since I already have experience in electrical and plumbing work, why not try hydroponics, as there is a significant opportunity in our country.
I did some research and found out that, as of now, many people are still engaged in traditional farming, but there is great potential for hydroponics in the future, especially as climate change intensifies and the population drastically increases.

Q: What are the challenges faced in this kind of business?
A: I have faced many challenges along the way. Firstly, in terms of budget, it was very difficult to get support from the financial sector. When we applied for a loan, only 15% of the amount requested was sanctioned. All the savings were exhausted.
Secondly, the market posed a challenge. Initially, people didn’t accept my products as they were concerned that my vegetables might contain chemicals that could affect their health. However, later they did come back to me saying that the hydroponically grown vegetables were far tastier than traditionally grown ones.
One of the most significant challenges I faced was maintaining the nutrients in the water, due to a lack of expertise in the country. But now, I am confident that my business is becoming more stable.

Q: For the betterment and improvement of Hydroponics, how do you work?
A: In traditional farming, labor work is extensive, requiring frequent weeding, which leads many youths and farmers to give up. Many people also believe that hydroponics requires large equipment and is costly, but that’s not entirely true. To address these misconceptions, I visit schools and seminars where I freely share the knowledge I have gained through my experience. I hope to inspire students to consider adopting such farming methods in the future.
Additionally, I welcome anyone interested in hydroponics to visit my farm to learn more about it.

Q: How does Hydroponics help in combating Climate Change?
A: It is an undeniable truth that combating climate change is challenging. As mentioned earlier, hydroponics involves zero soil usage and approximately 95% water reuse. Furthermore, with vertical farming, the land requirement is minimal while achieving high production yields.
Considering that our country’s population is expected to surpass a million by 2050, it is foreseeable that some farmland may be converted into residential areas. Therefore, we must explore alternative farming methods, and hydroponics stands out as a viable option.

Q: How is the nutritional value of the vegetables in Hydroponics?
A: Before we release the water, we ensure to check the nutritional value of the water. According to some scientists in the Philippines, they have made a statement that the nutritional value of vegetables grown in hydroponics is higher than those grown in traditional farming methods.

Q: What about the pest, how do you tackle with it?
A: Actually, pests are very rare in hydroponics. I check every plant every day to ensure they are not infected. Only in rare cases do we see any pest attacks, and we promptly remove any affected plants. The usage of chemical fertilizers is zero, but in rare cases, we use organic fertilizers like neem oil. We also ensure that visitors wear gloves and sanitize before entering the greenhouse.

Q: As you have said earlier, the water is reused 95%, can you explain the process?
A: In our hydroponic setup, water is stored in a drum with a circulating motor for equal distribution. The water flows from the highest level to the lowest, then back to the drum, ensuring a continuous cycle. This design enables us to reuse 95% of the water, contributing to sustainability and efficient resource management in our farming practices.

Q: As on now I have seen only the plantation of lettuces in huge quantity. So don’t you have any plan to harvest different vegetables?
A: During the initial stages, I considered cultivating chili in large quantities due to its popularity among Bhutanese people. However, considering the market dynamics with a significant amount of chili being imported from India, I explored other options. I experimented with various vegetables and found great success. Presently, I am focusing on green salads, particularly lettuces. Given their perishable nature, importing them poses challenges. By producing them locally, especially in Thimphu, we ensure freshness for consumers.

Q: What is your future plan?
A: If successful, I aim to extend hydroponic farming to other regions of Bhutan. Furthermore, I envision establishing a small institution to impart hydroponics knowledge, particularly to the youth, enabling them to pursue livelihoods in this field. By spreading this sustainable farming method and fostering education, I hope to contribute to both economic development and environmental conservation across Bhutan.

Q: Can you tell the process of seeding in hydroponics?
A: Initially, we import a substance from India made of volcanic particles. Seeds are inserted into it, and after a week, transferred to plastic cups. Within 30 to 40 days, the produce is ready for consumption. This streamlined process ensures efficient growth and harvest in our hydroponic setup.

Message:

I believe that today’s youth tend to give up easily on their endeavors. I think it’s essential to recognize that no task is insignificant. Regarding hydroponics, I see immense potential for the future. By emphasizing agriculture in general, we can reduce vegetable imports and indirectly bolster the country’s GDP. It’s crucial to instill perseverance in our youth and harness innovative solutions like hydroponics to address both economic and agricultural challenges.