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2425 s1 - Water Technology - Hydroponic system

This research focuses on evaluating the financial viability of an open-field hydroponic system developed by the Mekong Saltlab to address the challenges faced by farmers in the salinity affected Mekong Delta, in Vietnam. A custom Excel tool was designed to calculate critical financial metrics such as Return on Investment (ROI) and payback period using real-world data. To complement this quantitative analysis, qualitative insights were collected through an interview with a farmer implementing the system.

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Project description:	This research focuses on evaluating the financial viability of an open-field hydroponic system developed by the Mekong Saltlab to address the challenges faced by farmers in the salinity-affected Mekong Delta, in Vietnam. A custom Excel tool was designed to calculate critical financial metrics such as Return on Investment (ROI) and payback period using real-world data. To complement this quantitative analysis, qualitative insights were collected through an interview with a farmer implementing the system.
Outcomes:	The findings indicate that the system offers significant advantages, such as water efficiency, reduced pesticide use, and year-round cultivation, even under adverse environmental conditions. Financially, the system demonstrates an ROI of 76.64 % and a payback period of approximately 1.3 years, even when applied to a low-value crop like water spinach. However, high initial investment costs and the need for technical expertise remain significant barriers to broader adoption. This research concludes that open-field hydroponics represents a promising solution for climate-adaptive farming in the Mekong Delta, offering both economic and environmental sustainability. The results serve as a foundation for future developments, including the potential expansion of the system to high-value crops and the creation of accessible tools for farmers.
Commissioned for:

Jasper van den Heuvel (Lectoraat Resilient Deltas)

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