Philippines: Aklan University seeks to grow soilless plants

To further increase the Philippine Aklan province’s food sufficiency efforts, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas recently turned over a P1-million greenhouse facility with hydroponics to the Aklan State University (ASU). Fresh lettuce was the first greenhouse crop harvested from the greenhouse which benefits the ASU community and the local consumers in the province. Using hydroponics technology, the greenhouse will enhance the productivity and competitiveness of farmers to produce agricultural products year-round. This greenhouse facility is part of the Bayanihan 2 project of the DA to provide sustainable, accessible, and affordable locally grown food, especially in this time of a pandemic. During the project launch held in April, ASU president Dr. Emily Arangote mentioned rolling out the project to Aklanon farmers to increase their income and improve food sufficiency in the province. DA regional executive ...