TABUK CITY, Kalinga – In a world where food security is a growing concern and the connection between our health and the environment is ever more apparent, the practice of backyard gardening using hydroponics has emerged as a promising solution.
Not only does it offer a sustainable method of growing one’s own food, but it also encourages environmental preservation and healthy living. Let’s examine the benefits and advantages of hydroponic gardening for the people of Tabukenos.
A few hydroponics farms have just emerged in the city, giving the locals much-needed access to previously hard-to-find fresh veggies and herbs.
One such farm is called Green Minded Hydroponics owned and operated by spouses Candy and Ren Bais. Located at Brgy, Appas, merely a short distance from the Bulanao-Dagupan provincial road, five kinds of lettuce and other herbs are grown on the farm and propagated with the herbs being sold on a per order basis.
The young couple claims that during the pandemic, when people were bored and looking for something to do, they found the idea of hydroponics gardening very interesting. During that period, a lot of individuals started backyard gardening as a useful hobby to pass the weeks and months during lockdowns. The young couple saw cultivating their own vegetable garden in their backyard as a way to make up for the scarcity of fresh vegetables available in the stores at the time, giving birth to Green Minded Hydroponics Farm.
According to Bais, he started hydroponic gardening because it is a sustainable approach to grow a range of crops in small places and because it uses nutrient-rich water solutions instead of soil to grow plants. He hopes this innovative technique will gain more popularity among urban gardeners and farming enthusiasts as it can be done by anybody.
When asked why they chose to cultivate lettuce, Mr. Bais explained that they could supply the fresh lettuce required by the majority of hotels and restaurants in the city, eliminating the need for them to go to Baguio City or other locations to purchase the same. He also became interested in growing and eating other varieties of vegetables, many of which were also produced in other countries, primarily in Europe.
With the use of technical advancements like greenhouse farms and other farming breakthroughs, he has made it feasible to produce lettuces in Tabuk City, despite the fact that they are normally cultivated in milder climates with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C, like Baguio City and Benguet.
It is likely that currently, it is only the Green Minded Hydroponics Farm that utilizes the more advanced farming technologies, like the more sophisticated greenhouses with temperature-controlled features and Nutrient Filled Technology (NTF) for plant irrigation. Bais elucidated that he commenced with the conventional hydroponic gardening technique, but subsequently conducted research on additional sophisticated methods to cultivate a wider range of lettuces and other herbs that are currently in demand by the city’s fine dining facilities. Additionally, he clarified that while experimenting with more inventive approaches can be an expensive investment, it is a good business that will endure, and he thinks the costs can be recovered as the farm expands.
Additionally, hydroponic gardening allows for better control over nutrient levels, leading to healthier and more nutrient-dense crops. With the ability to grow food year-round, regardless of the season, hydroponic gardening promotes food security by providing a consistent supply of fresh produce.
Currently, the 250-square-meter farm has grown from a little backyard endeavor into a rapidly expanding enterprise that grows 4,500 pots of five different types of lettuce and other herbs. Additionally, they sell about 1,150 pots a week to their patrons, which include people who own restaurants.
As they expand, they are also providing trainings and hands-on learning opportunities for anyone eager to learn about hydroponic farming.
All buyers who wish to harvest their own fresh lettuce are welcome to visit the farm starting at 7:00 a.m. up until 8:00 p.m. The lowest price on the market to date is PhP25, which is what each plant costs. In addition, they provide a selection of fruit and vegetable salads that can be ordered in bowls or trays. For inquiries, they can be reached at 0967-254-3616.
The couple is passionate about offering Tabukenos a different source of organic, freshly grown vegetables. “Our goal is to change the way Tabukenos view food security and promote a move towards self-sufficiency in food production by introducing them to hydroponic gardening,” Bais stated.
The benefits of hydroponic gardening are vast and significant. One of the main advantages is the ability to grow fresh produce right in your own backyard, regardless of space constraints or climate limitations. Likewise, by growing one’s own food, individuals can also ensure that their produce is free from harmful pesticides and chemicals, promoting a healthier lifestyle, he further stated.
In fact, people may take charge of their food production by adopting hydroponic backyard gardening, which will lessen their reliance on outside resources and give them a sense of empowerment.
The trend of growing one’s own food provides advantages for the environment in addition to improving one’s own health and wellbeing.
Because hydroponic farming uses less water, produces fewer carbon emissions, and does not include any toxic chemicals, it is a potent tool for encouraging healthy living and environmental preservation.
All things considered, hydroponic farming provides a creative and sustainable way to support environmental preservation, healthy living, and food security.
By making little but steady progress toward hydroponically cultivating our own food, we not only fuel our bodies but also cultivate a sustainable future for future generations.
So let’s cultivate a greener, healthier tomorrow through the power of hydroponic gardening! By Aurora Amilig
