Hydroponics tech for school farms
Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) teachers from schools in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province learned about the technology of hydroponics last September 13, 2018. The training-seminar was conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 11 thru the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC)-Compostela Valley and PSTC Davao del Sur in collaboration with the Municipal Agriculture’s Office (Magro) of Nabunturan at the Magro Office, Poblacion, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.
Vicente S. Dagangon, Provincial Science and Technology director of PSTC Davao del Sur, discussed the basics of hydroponics, its benefits, and practical examples of the system.
Hydroponics is a simple method of growing plants in water rich in mineral nutrients instead of soil. Unconsumed water can be recycled which is advantageous in areas with less supply of water. Among the other benefits are improved plant nutrition, closer plant spacing; weeding, pest and diseases can be easily avoided and controlled. Moreover, plants using hydroponics method has a potential for more intensive growing cycles all-year round.
Using this technology in school farms can help persuade teachers, students, even the local community to develop a green thumb while promoting a viable alternative for modern food production. /