Philippines: Villagers get acquainted with aquaponics
Organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the training aims equip the residents on basic gardening and aquaponics so they can apply it in their houses and share it with the constituents in their respective communities, said DOST Information Officer Sean Adrian Guardino.
The activity is in cooperation with GK Negros Oriental and Foundation University (FU).
Klein Koerkamp, the current dean of College of Agriculture of FU discussed urban gardening, its concept and practice, seedling management and types of containers, nutrient and pest management, hydroponics and aquaponics.
Other topics also included types of hydroponics and aquaponics systems, their advantages and disadvantages, fabrication of vertical hydroponics and barrel aquaponics.
The activity also included a tour in FU hydroponics/aquaponics facility.
Video clips on urban gardening in the Philippines and modular aquaponics were also shown to the participants.
“The concept of hydroponics and aquaponics was quite new to the GK participants. The group was quite knowledgeable with caring for plants due to previous training they had with GK and other agencies. We only showed them a simple vertical hydroponics system and a water culture system which they can easily fabricate themselves,” Koerkamp said.
“We also showed them how to make one simple barrel aquaponics system. The main objective in introducing this model is to show them the flood and drain system and how the siphon is fabricated and how that should work,” he also added.
Source: PIA