Hydroponics · Vertical NFT
NFT A-frame structure
NFT channels stacked on both sides of an A-shaped frame, so you grow more leafy greens and herbs on the same floor. Nutrient water flows past the roots and back to the tank, with almost no waste. Designed, made and installed by Kryzen.
350+farms built by Kryzen across India
546 plants per frame
14 channels on 7 levels, on a frame just 3.5 ft wide at the base.
Water recirculates
Nutrient water flows back to the tank and is used again, so very little is wasted.
Clean, fast leafy greens
No soil on the leaves. Roots get water, food and air, so greens grow fast.
What is an NFT A-frame?
Vertical NFT that grows more on less floor
Quick answer
An NFT A-frame is a vertical hydroponic frame shaped like the letter A. NFT channels run along both sloping sides, one above another. Nutrient water flows through each channel and back to a tank. Because the channels are stacked, an A-frame holds more plants per m² of floor than a flatbed, so it is ideal where space is limited.
It is a vertical version of NFT hydroponics, and was called Vertical NFT on Kryzen’s older website. Lower channels get less light, so we space and orient the frames to give every channel enough.
How it works
A closed loop of nutrient water
The same solution goes round and round, topped up and balanced every day.
01Tank and pump
A reservoir tank stores the nutrient solution, and a 0.5–1 HP pump lifts it to the frames. A 3-layer tank keeps it cool on hot sites.
02Feed and return plumbing
Feed pipes carry the solution to the top of every channel on both sides. A return pipe at the base takes it back to the tank.
03NFT channels
Food-grade, lead-free, double-layer channels with a flat base, so a thin film of water flows past the roots.
04Net cups
Each plant sits in a 2-inch net cup in the channel, so roots hang in the flowing film.
05End caps
Injection-moulded caps seal each channel end tightly, so no water leaks.
06Outlet spout and monitoring
A spout in the end cap drains each channel back to the tank. EC and pH are checked and adjusted every day.
Choose your layout
NFT A-frame vs NFT flatbed
Both use the same channels and nutrient loop. The difference is how the channels are laid out.
| Point | NFT A-frame | NFT flatbed |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Channels stacked on an A-shaped frame | Channels laid flat at bench height in rows |
| Plants per m² of floor | More: channels on several levels | About 26 plants per m² in a Kryzen layout |
| Light | Lower channels get less light; frames are spaced and oriented to fix this | Every channel gets even light |
| Working height | Several heights on one frame | One comfortable bench height |
| Best for | Small plots, terraces, indoor farms, high output per m² | Large commercial leafy-green farms; easy harvesting |
Our A-frame story
From one farm in Satara to farms across India
We built our first vertical NFT farm in Satara in 2019 and grew basil on it for BigBasket. Season after season we changed the frame, the channels and the nutrient loop on our own farm. Today we design and make the A-frame in-house, and it is one of the main hydroponic systems we build for farmers across India.
June 2019Building our first hydroponic farm in Satara with vertical NFT frames
September 2019The first harvest from our vertical channels
January 2020More channels and more technology on every frame
2020Basil on the frames grew faster than one person could harvest
2020Dharmendra Rai of the Association for Vertical Farming visits our farm and later becomes our mentor
2022Every frame moves to CAD drawings with technical specifications
2022hydroBUILD automation installed on the nutrient loop
- 2023
A-frame systems now made and quality-checked in-house
2023Showing our vertical systems to farmers at an exhibition
November 2025In-house MS fabrication at our own factory in Satara
Why build one
Advantages of an NFT A-frame
More leafy greens from every square metre.
More plants on less floor
Stacked channels fit more plants per m² than a flatbed layout.
Very low water use
The solution recirculates, so you use a fraction of the water of soil farming.
Clean harvest
No soil, no mud on leaves. Greens are ready to pack.
No soil diseases or weeds
There is no soil, so soil-borne disease and weeding are gone.
Fast crop cycles
Roots get nutrients and air together, so leafy greens grow quickly.
Fits small spaces
Works inside a polyhouse, on a strong terrace or indoors.
Exact nutrition
Every plant gets the same measured feed, planned with our nutrient calculator.
Climate-proof agriculture
Inside a polyhouse, heat, rain and pests stay out and harvests stay steady all year.
Technical details
NFT A-frame specifications
Every value goes in writing in your quotation.
Each standard frame holds 546 plants on 14 channels. The number of frames is planned for your area, crop and light after a site inspection.
| Specification | Kryzen NFT A-frame |
|---|---|
| System | Vertical NFT (nutrient film technique) on an A-shaped frame |
| Frame | Double-coated mild steel A-frame |
| Frame size | 20 ft long, 7 ft high, 3.5 ft wide at the base |
| Levels | 7 levels per side, 14 channels per frame |
| Plants per frame | 546 plants |
| Channels | Food-grade, lead-free, double-layer NFT channels on both sides |
| End caps | Injection-moulded caps, with an outlet spout on the drain end |
| Net cups | 2-inch net cups |
| Pump | 0.5–1 HP, sized to the number of frames |
| Tank | Reservoir tank; 3-layer tank for hot sites |
| Monitoring | EC and pH checks; doses planned with the Kryzen nutrient calculator |
| Layout | Frames spaced and oriented so every channel gets enough light |
Made by Kryzen
Our own factory. Our own build team.
We cut, shape and quality-test the steel at our factory in Satara, Maharashtra, and our own construction team builds it on your land. You can follow every step live on your client portal at alpha.kryzen.com.
Cost and running
What an NFT A-frame farm needs
Your quotation lists every item, and our team prepares a crop-wise projection for your space before you build.
Steady power
Roots in NFT dry quickly if the flow stops. We connect the system to your generator or solar backup.
Good water
A water test before you start tells us how to plan the nutrient solution.
Daily EC and pH checks
A few minutes a day keeps the solution right for your crop.
Enough light
Frames are spaced and turned so lower channels still get enough light.
Plan your doses and your sales
Use the nutrient calculator to plan feeds for each crop. Current prices from Price Watcher go into your project report, and Buyers Connect helps you sell after harvest.
Included free
- 6 months of virtual agronomy
- 4-day training for your farm team
- Hydroponic Masterclass logins
- Farm management software
- Buyers Connect
Worth ₹1.08 lakh
Compare
NFT hydroponics vs soil farming
Soil farming costs less to start. NFT uses far less water, grows faster and gives a clean harvest from a small space.
| Point | Soil farming | NFT A-frame |
|---|---|---|
| Water use | High | Very low; solution recirculates |
| Growth speed | Normal | Faster; roots get nutrients and air |
| Plants per m² | Low | High; channels are stacked |
| Soil diseases and weeds | Common | None |
| Harvest cleanliness | Soil on leaves | Clean, ready to pack |
| Setup cost | Low | Higher; see your quotation |
Subsidy and finance
Subsidy for your hydroponic farm
Polyhouses for hydroponic farms built to National Horticulture Board (NHB) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM) norms can apply for government subsidy. A bank loan is usually part of the project, and the subsidy is paid after the project is checked.
NHB subsidy provider
Kryzen is a registered National Horticulture Board subsidy provider for all states.
NHM state subsidy provider
Enrolled with the National Horticulture Mission in Maharashtra and Karnataka for state horticulture schemes.
Project report for your bank
We prepare the detailed project report (DPR) your bank and subsidy file need, with cost, finance and profit projections.
Subsidy amounts depend on the scheme, your state and current government guidelines. The final decision is made by the government department.
Other hydroponic systems
Not only A-frames
Mix systems in one polyhouse to grow leafy greens and fruiting crops together.
How we build
From first call to first harvest
Ten steps, one team. Most projects are built in 45 to 90 days after material reaches the site.
1Free online consultation
We discuss your land, water, budget and goals on a video or phone call.
2Site inspection
Our team checks level, slope, sunlight, soil, water, power and road access.
3Design and quotation
We design for your climate and crops, and share a detailed quotation.
4Project report and finance
We prepare the DPR for your bank loan and subsidy file.
5Subsidy and loan
We help you apply for NHB or NHM subsidy and your bank loan, with the documents each office needs.
6Manufacturing
We cut, shape and quality-test the material at our factory in Satara.
7Construction
Our team builds the foundations, structure and growing systems on your land.
8Testing and handover
We test every system and hand over a working farm.
9Training and agronomy
Hands-on training for your team and 6 months of virtual agronomy support.
10Harvest management
We help you plan harvests, grading and sales, with market prices from Price Watcher and buyers through Buyers Connect.
What is an NFT A-frame?
It is a vertical hydroponic frame shaped like the letter A. NFT channels run along both sloping sides, one above another. Nutrient water flows through each channel and back to a tank, so the same floor holds more plants than a flatbed.
How is an A-frame different from a flatbed NFT?
An A-frame stacks channels on a sloped frame to fit more plants per m². A flatbed lays channels flat at bench height, which is easier to work on large farms.
Which crops grow best in an NFT A-frame?
Leafy greens and herbs that grow fast: lettuce, basil, spinach, coriander, mint and parsley. Fruiting crops like capsicum and tomato grow better in cocopeat grow bags.
Can I set up an A-frame on my terrace?
Yes, if the terrace can take the load and has water and power. Kryzen checks this during the consultation.
What happens if the power fails?
Roots in NFT can dry quickly without flow. Kryzen connects the system to a generator or solar backup if you provide one.
Is there a subsidy for NFT hydroponics?
The polyhouse that houses the NFT system can get NHB or NHM subsidy, and the project can use a bank loan. Our team prepares the project report and subsidy file.
Can I grow strawberry in an NFT A-frame?
No. Strawberry does not do well in an A-frame. We grow it in raised troughs instead.
How many plants does one A-frame hold?
A standard Kryzen A-frame is 20 ft long, 7 ft high and 3.5 ft wide at the base. It has 7 levels on each side, 14 channels in all, and holds 546 plants.
Was this called Vertical NFT before?
Yes. Kryzen’s older website called this system Vertical NFT. It is the same A-frame design.
Talk to our team
Plan your NFT A-frame farm with us
Tell us your space, crop and budget. We’ll tell you honestly whether an A-frame or a flatbed suits you, then share a detailed quotation.