Farmers generate lucrative income by growing vegetables using hydroponic systems
KOTA BHARU: All the hard work has paid off for 30 Area Farmers’ Organisation (PPK) members when their involvement in growing salad and mustard leaves (sawi) hydroponically using the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and the Deep Flow Technique (DFT) is reaping lucrative results.
Kelantan Farmers Organisation Authority (LPP) director Mohd Hanifa Awang Su said the project which was implemented in early 2019 is showing results when some 37.1 metric tonnes of salad and mustard greens were cultivated.
“The Kelantan LPP has been assisting the Pengkalan Chepa PPK members since early 2019 by channelling RM70,000, last year another RM85,000 was added.
“At the moment, the project has 22,500 hydroponic plots. The Siamese and coral lettuce are in high demand and are being sold in supermarkets and grocery stores around Kota Bharu and the PPK produce centre,” he said to Bernama recently.
Mohd Hanifa said vegetables cultivated using the hydroponic systems did not take a long time to be harvested, adding that mustard greens only took 25 days, while salad leaves only needed 40 days.
“25 days for the mustard leaves and 40 for the salad greens start from the seeding using medium rock wool and transplanted a week later to the rain shelter which is insect-proof using Ultra Violet (UV) plastic shade,” he said.
Mohd Hanifa said the success story of the Pengkalan Chepa PKK has inspired other associations in Kelantan as well as in other states.
“This project has been duplicated by the Kuala Krai PPK, and the same model is being used by PPK in other states like Penang.
“It appears that vegetables in highland areas like Cameron Highlands can now be grown in lowland areas using the method and fertilisation that is unique according to the crop,” he said.
Mohd Hanifa said the LPP and the Pengkalan Chepa PPK are willing to share the knowledge they have gained in growing highland vegetables using the hydroponic systems with any interested parties. “It is most suitable for urban farming and the sets available are suitable for urban gardening where it is prepared and designed by Pengkalan Chepa PPK and supplied to departments, organisations, non -governmental organisations and schools,” he said.