BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
TUGUEGARAO CITY (August 15)—Hydroponic and aquaponic food production in the province of Cagayan is gaining ground among vegetable farmers through the initiative of the provincial government.
The provincial government led by Gov. Manuel Mamba has launched a training program for more than 50 provincial government employees to learn the new technology on hydroponic and aquaponic food production.
Mamba said training on the said food production technology was held at the Cagayan Farm School and Agri-tourism Center in Barangay Anquiray, Amulung town on Friday, August 12.
Dr. Pearlita Mabasa, Cagayan provincial agriculturist, explained the technology of hydroponics, which is the cultivation of vegetables that do not need soil.
“This is a soilless food production, which means the vegetables can be grown in water,” she said.
On the other hand, Mabasa said aquaponics is the production of fish together with vegetables that will be planted in the water.
“This practice is two-in-one food production. This is due to the simultaneous cultivation of vegetables and raising of fish,” she added.
Mabasa said fish like tilapia and catfish provide the extra nutrients that vegetables need and it also has a nitrogen cycle that will benefit both vegetables and fish.
“There is no need for a large area of land here, in small spaces, you will have vegetables and fish. Only water and a nutrient solution will be used here,” she said.
She noted that it takes only three to four weeks to plant and harvest vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, kangkong (water spinach), tomato, melon and cucumber.
Mabasa added that it will only take three or four months to harvest tilapia or catfish.
She said the training will continue at the Cagayan Farm School and Agri-Tourism Center every Friday.
“This is part of Governor Mamba’s advocacy to have aqua-culture production in Cagayan province,” Mabasa said, adding that aquaculture production is a component of hydroponic and aquaponic.
“This new technology is very good because it has a double purpose because while you already have plants, you will also have fish and it is possible for those who have small and nonextensive cultivation areas,” she said.
“One can always plant and even raise fish in a small space through this technology,” Mabasa said.