Infected with a complex strain of technological and economic crisis, the Philippine vegetable industry has been in an almost ‘comatose’ condition for so many years, and it threatens the country’s food security.
Facing these difficulties, different agencies of government have responded and embarked on several projects that would lessen its impact by turning to science and technology.
Hydroponics is not a new design of gardening/farming in the country, but it is one of the smart agricultural technologies that can help the country ensure food security and to be climate resistant in the future. Through this concept, Dr. Chito Sace of Hydroponics and Aquaponics Technology of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, introduces another means of crop battlefield, known as Hydroponic Household Garden, a complete hydroponic system for leafy vegetables and herbs that one can easily manage, even in the backyard.
Hydroponic Household Garden is a ‘soilless vegetable gardening’ model that uses a ‘one pump rule’ system, where one pump takes the water from the tank full of nutrient solution to the highest portion of the growing system. After 30 days or less, according to Dr. Sace, leafy vegetables and herbs are ready for harvest.
More produce, water conservation, and energy conservation are the three major benefits of this smart agricultural technology. Dr. Sace states that the success of the hydroponic garden is through passion and study of farming or gardening because it is very simple and easy to manage since the production is a cycle. It is just like how a crop is planted in soil, except for the extra work such as hoeing, weeding, and watering.
Read the complete article at www.ptvnews.ph.