Skip to content
Evidence-led · AI-enabled · Africa-focusedFrom Soil to Significance
EAExcell AfricaAgricultural Intelligence InfrastructureAsk Excell Africa
← Masterclass catalogueLIVE 5-DAY WHATSAPP MASTERCLASS

Hydroponics for African Conditions

Design a system that works with your climate, water, power and budget—not against them.

The transformation

Understand hydroponics from first principles and design a practical, resilient pilot rather than buying equipment you cannot sustain.

This masterclass is for

  • Farmers exploring protected cultivation
  • Schools and training centres
  • Urban and peri-urban growers
  • Investors assessing hydroponic proposals
What you will be able to do
01

Compare hydroponic systems against local constraints

02

Assess water, power, climate, crop and market suitability

03

Understand nutrients, pH, EC, oxygen and sanitation

04

Design monitoring, backup and crop-management routines

05

Produce a costed pilot system and operating plan

Five-day curriculum

A practical journey from understanding to action.

Day 1

Hydroponics without the hype

What hydroponics solves, what it does not, system types, crop choice, markets and African infrastructure realities.

Daily assignment

Complete the hydroponic suitability scorecard.

Day 2

Water, nutrients and measurement

Source-water testing, pH, EC, nutrient solutions, temperature, oxygen, sanitation and safe handling.

Daily assignment

Prepare a daily water and nutrient monitoring sheet.

Day 3

System and protected structure design

NFT, DWC, drip media, containers, channels, pumps, tanks, shade, ventilation, drainage and layout.

Daily assignment

Draw your pilot system with component list.

Day 4

Crop production and troubleshooting

Nursery, transplanting, plant spacing, root health, algae, pests, disease, heat and power-loss response.

Daily assignment

Diagnose five common system failures.

Day 5

Economics and resilient operation

Capital, running costs, yield assumptions, labour, backup power, maintenance, sales and scale-up gates.

Daily assignment

Submit a costed pilot and 90-day operating plan.

How the cohort works

One focused lesson and one practical action each day.

Lessons are released daily in a private WhatsApp cohort. You study at a convenient time, complete the field or planning task, ask questions and learn from the experience of the group. This is applied learning—not five days of passive videos.

01 Pay securely and receive confirmation.

02 Join the private WhatsApp cohort.

03 Receive the workbook and orientation.

04 Complete five lessons and assignments.

05 Leave with a costed 90-day action plan.

Reserve your place

Choose the price for your location.

Secure Paystack checkout will open after you select your market. Cohort date and WhatsApp joining instructions are sent by email after confirmed payment.

Important learning and production note

This programme provides practical education and planning support. It does not replace veterinary, agronomic, laboratory, food-safety, export-compliance or other regulated professional advice where your circumstances require it. Participants remain responsible for local laws, product testing, safe production and commercial decisions.