Crops such as cucumber, capsicum, cherry tomato, and lettuce are on the rise in India, while rose, gerbera, carnation, lilium, and anthurium dominate flower cultivation. Orchids are also gaining popularity. However, the availability of techniques—and the knowledge of how to apply them—is holding growers, and therefore the industry, back. That's why several entrepreneurs joined forces to organize two events this year, aiming to provide Indian growers with access to global technologies and practices. Technology Vision 2030 and HortiConnect India 2025 will take place this September.
"We want to support the industry broadly: we've seen the industry needs to grow, but growers can't travel everywhere to find the latest technologies," says Rajeeb Kumar Roy, one of the initiators. Rajeeb's background is not that of an event organizer; he is the Founder & Managing Director of Indias leading company in the AG Tech Space, Agriplast Tech India. Together with other entrepreneurs like Mr. Shrkant Bolapally, Mr. S.K Gutgutia from Florance Flora, Mr. Rajendra Kumar, Mr. Rafi all veterans in the high tech faming sector have united to organize these two events to support Indian horticulture.
"Usually, shows are done for business purposes. Our idea came from five individuals with successful businesses—each with more than 30 years in the industry," Rajeeb says. "We travel around to find the latest technologies and we believe the industry can benefit from these offerings. But for many Indian growers, visiting international trade shows is not an option. That's why we're bringing the technologies to India."
The first event is the one-day Technology Vision 2030 conference, which will be held on 24 September 2025 at the Sheraton Grand, Bangalore. The program will focus on protected cultivation, plant nutrition, nurseries, automation, artificial intelligence, and IoT.
The second event, HortiConnect India 2025, will take place on 25–27 September 2025 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). This exhibition will host more than 250 exhibitors, including an international Dutch Pavilion.
Rajeeb describes market developments in India, where crops such as cucumber, capsicum, cherry tomato, and lettuce are growing in popularity, while rose, gerbera, carnation, lilium, and anthurium dominate flower production. Orchids are also gaining traction. "Cucumber farmers are making good money, and it's also a good crop for summer," Rajeeb adds. However, there are cultural and consumption differences to consider. "People are used to eating local vegetables—not salads or leafy greens. Lettuce is still not part of the culture, but it is slowly catching on."
To produce more affordable crops, technology is essential—but access to and affordability of technology remain barriers. "Currently, the adoption of growing media and hydroponic systems is limited, though present. Some farms have started growing on coco peat… only 2 percent might be doing it. But all the pot plant nurseries and seedling nurseries are emerging, and even rockwool suppliers have found the Indian market."
As an example of the potential of technology, he refers to sensors used in greenhouses. "India will not be a market for grow lights yet, but there are so many other modern-day technologies that are applicable here—if only growers knew about their potential. Nobody was measuring DLI until last year. I introduced Apogee sensors to monitor DLI, which helps growers adjust their climate strategies."
He notes a growing awareness of data, automation, and tools like fertigation systems and IoT. "People are starting to use automation as they become aware of IoT and data. The industry might lag behind on some fronts but is ready to adopt high-tech products on others."
Rajeeb emphasizes that the events are industry-focused rather than company-led. "We want to support the industry broadly—not benefit ourselves. We will have a booth there, but Agriplast has paid the same price as other exhibitors. We're not taking advantage of being founders or speakers. This is for the industry, and we want to stay objective. Over the last three years, we haven't promoted our own products—we only talk about what's good for the industry. If the industry grows, we grow as well."
Source:www.floraldaily.com