Makeshift farm facilities in Capiz introduce students to hydroponics

Sustaining adequate food supply in the country is undeniably vital to ensuring multi-sectoral stability, but early training of learners for such a mindset in these trying times goes an extra mile.

Mann F. Lee, 43, a public school principal in Capiz, has intentionally included in his advocacy the setting up of makeshift hydroponic facilities on campuses to train children with what he calls “agri-preneurship” using an eco-sustainable farming method.

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Lee and his wife set up hydroponic facilities in two schools in 2017.

“We asked the help of the DA-Capiz province to give us technical assistance with our first hydroponic project in Punta Cogon Elementary School. With the help of our Macau stakeholders and the Department of Agriculture, we were able to kick start this hydroponic project,” beams Lee.

The project has been generating income from the two makeshift school farms, amounting to ₱6,000 to ₱7,000 and ₱8,000 to ₱10,000, separately.

“The Dona Emiliana A. Alba Memorial School Hydroponic farm serves as both an income-generating program for the school and a hydroponic research facility for anyone in the community to learn about this farming technology,” says Lee.

Lee highly regards the school project, recalling how students would take care of the makeshift setup before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country.

“The hydroponic system is easily sustainable because it is easy to do. All you have to do is to germinate, plant, and harvest. No need to water it every day. The pupils were the ones tending the facility. The home economics teacher teaches pupils to make the salad, make labels, and sell the product online,” he says.

Yet their sustained project appeared to be not only income-generating, it was also a direct farm-to-table product distributed freely among their students. Harvested lettuce was prepared as Caesar salad, for instance, given to students in paper boxes.

Even with all the challenges encountered by the makeshift farms in the pandemic, distance learning, and various natural calamities, Lee believes the actions pursued by the agriculture department and other stakeholders are feasible, especially as food security becomes a worrisome issue.

It is very feasible nowadays because there are a lot of cheap recyclable materials we can use.

 “‘Plant, Plant, Plant’ is a great program since it introduces micro-entrepreneurship and self-sustainability. The programs that include urban gardening during the pandemic are a great help not just financially but also mentally since planting also eases the mind,” says Lee, pointing out that the school-based facilities are still operational. He describes the project as “easier and cheaper” because materials are readily available in online shopping applications. “How were we able to do it and sustain it? We have a saying in DepEd ‘Para sa Bata, Para sa Bayan (for the youth, for the nation),’” he says.

And with the looming threat of inflation and increasing oil prices, Lee encourages others to join the initiatives of DA in supporting farmers and communities to continue the “Plant, Plant, Plant” program.

“It is very feasible nowadays because there are a lot of cheap recyclable materials we can use. The small-scale farm can help a small household if they sell it either as ready-to-eat salad or raw pesticide-free lettuce. Direct selling the products online or in the community ensures higher income since we eliminate the middleman,” he says.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Plant Industry under DA, has launched research facilities in Malate, Manil to help boost the country’s food production.

“Our farmers, fishers, and the mass of Filipino consumers are being squeezed by global circumstances. We have to do our jobs to lessen the suffering and the damage to human development caused by conflicts, pandemics, and the African swine fever, which to this day is still lurking,” said DA Secretary William Dar during the launch. (PNA)