Tuba, Benguet- Tuba farmers are now reaping the fruit of their labor and the result of the grant of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) which was provided and completed in March 2021.
The combination of a one-unit greenhouse and hydroponics worth P1M was given to the farmers of Taloy Sur Irrigator’s Association to produce soil-less and high-quality lettuce all year round.
According to farmer- beneficiary Jennifer Pulac, it is the first of its kind in their municipality since they commonly grow lettuce in the open field installed with improvised tunnels to keep the lettuce safe from the rain.
“This facility is helpful for us to be able to produce lettuce that would give us continuous income all year round without being bothered, especially during the rainy seasons because the plants are safe,” Pulac expressed
The facility gave the farmers an advantage since it provides eight long tables with small hoses that supply a total of 1,152 cups to grow the lettuce. The product will be farmed soil-less since the technology will be utilizing a water-based farming process and in a controlled environment as compared to the traditional agriculture practices.
The initial inputs for the start-up production of lettuce such as coco pit and nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium trace elements as organic-based fertilizers for the hydroponics and lettuce seeds were also provided for the pre-implementation test.
According to DA-CAR Press Release No. 21-156, the first production was conducted in April and within 21 days after planting, they were able to harvest their first soilless lettuces which are significantly better in appearance compared to those grown in the open field.
The farmers harvested about 30 kilograms of lettuce, and it was sold for P40 per kilo.
Meanwhile, the farmers-beneficiaries are looking forward to selling soilless lettuce on a per-cup basis which will be displayed in stores along the Tuba-Marcos highway road when the tourism industry becomes more open.
The facility’s funding was from the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act Phase II, which was enacted in response to COVID-19 by providing recovery interventions and mechanisms to accelerate recovery as well as bolster the country’s economy by providing funds.
It is the only greenhouse with a hydroponics facility that was implemented to date for its feasibility and reception being a new technology in the region.
The lone facility was purposely set up for lettuce production following good agricultural practices
It was implemented through a Usufruct agreement with the beneficiary, who allotted a 200 sq. meter-lot located near their residence in Sitio Orengao, Taloy Sur.
As per agreement, the beneficiary shall shoulder other costs beyond the financial assistance of the DA during the facility establishment as part of their counterpart.
The greenhouse with hydroponics was completed in March 2021.
The farmers were educated about the operation and maintenance of the facility, including the solutions necessary for the soil-less production of lettuce.
Hydroponics is a production method where the plants are grown in a nutrient solution rather than in soil. Plants and vegetables are placed in a growing medium such as clay pellets, rock wool, recycled foam, foam, peat, sawdust, gravel, or coconut fiber, and then fed a feeder or nutrient to make them grow.
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