On December 14, 2022, IIHM Delhi opened its first hydroponic farm on campus. The initiative for the project was made in collaboration with 9Growers. IIHM Chairman Dr. Suborno Bose remarked, “It’s a step forward for IIHM toward sustainability.” The IIHM is working to include sustainability principles into hospitality education. Making a salad using ingredients from a hydroponic farm was part of the presentation. As one example of upcycling, guests sampled macroons and cupcakes created from egg shells. The method is made to utilize the least amount of water and light possible, and hydroponic farms assist to decrease food waste.
The Hydroponic farm on IIHM Delhi campus was inaugurated by Dr Suborno Bose, CEO of IIHM Hotel School, by switching on the lights and this special programme was attended by distinguished guests from the hospitality fraternity. They included Kush Kapoor, CEO, Roseate Hotels & Resorts, Parul Mahajan, Head of Advocacy, Government Relations, Industry Partnerships and International Relations at National Skill Development Corporation, Sheetal Singh, GM, Ambassador, Delhi, IHCL SeleQtions, Shuvendu Banerjee, GM, Crowne Plaza Today, Okhla, Vineet Sharma, Rooms Division Manager, Eros Hotel New Delhi, Chef Diwas Wadhera, Executive Chef, Eros Hotel New Delhi. Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman, IIHM said, “It’s a step forward by IIHM towards sustainability.“
“Because it differs from traditional farming, requires less water than usual farming, and is appropriate for locations where there is a water shortage, hydroponic farms are widespread in many western nations. It’s a little step, but it’s a step in the right direction. People in India and throughout the world need to understand that sustainability is a fact, not just a political term or hollow platitude. The only way to live is to practice sustainability. The IIHM’s hydroponic farm in Delhi is merely the first phase of a broader project to establish similar farms on other IIHM campuses in India and abroad ” Dr Bose stated.
The purpose and concept of a hydroponic farm were discussed by Himanshu Aggarwal, Co-Founder and CEO of 9Growers. He stated: “The goal of a hydroponic farm is to cultivate the necessary veggies for hotel and restaurant kitchens while utilizing little water and lots of light. We encourage everyone who lives in a city to practice this style of gardening since it uses the least amount of land and water. Food waste is decreased by hydroponic farms since the system is set up so that we only harvest the exact amount of fresh veggies we require.”
Image provided by IIHM
