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Fertigation: A Future In Backyard Farming
Iskandar with his rock melons in an experimental backyard fertigation farm.
October 20th, 2017 | 09:43 AM | 2888 views
SARIKEI
Having zero experience in modern farming, Iskandar Naziri tried planting rock melons in a recycled tent turned into fertigation makeshift “farm”, and soon found that the technique is so easy, it could be managed by anyone.
“To minimise the cost, I am using recycled items that can be found in the backyard and buy what cannot be substituted from the nursery,” he explained to The Borneo Post.
With help from friends who know fertigation farming, Iskandar planted the rock melons in 20 polybags inside the makeshift tent and installed all the required piping system.
“Honestly it is so easy. As easy as using a smartphone,” he stressed, adding that no high tech gadgets are required and the most expensive equipment involved is probably the aquarium pump use to distribute A & B fertilizer via the piping system into the polybags.
However, Iskandar, who is a councillor with Sarikei District Council (SDC), found it very amusing for government agencies to talk and promote about modern agriculture but are not making the most basic needs, such as A & B fertilizer, easily available in the market.
“Can you please check with Malaysia Agriculture Research and Development Institute (Mardi) why is it so difficult to get the A & B fertilizer,” he quipped.
He explained that A & B is the fertilizer required for hydroponic and fertigation system – to supply nutrients that is important part of achieving profitable yield. One bag of the fertilizer cost about RM38 and is suffice for use on about 30 polybags of plants from day 1 until harvesting 60 days later.
Iskandar admitted that the initial setup may cost quite high for the poor, but it is still relatively cheaper compared to the other schemes initiated by the government to supplement the rural poor income.
“With proper co-ordination, contract farming can be arranged among the participants.
“In fact, fertigation can create new opportunities for our rural poor. There will be demand for coco peat and we have abundance of coconut in the rural area. The price for coco peat is RM15 per bag now,” he said, explaining that each bag can fill up to five polybags for planting.
Iskandar is happy to note that Sibu Rural District Council is actively promoting Green Lifestyle now by offering composting training for the people.
“I attended a seminar recently and learn how to make bio-enzyme that can be used for washing dishes and car, and most importantly as a substitute to the A & B fertilizer in fertigation farming,” he said.
He said SDC will be distributing the organic waste barrel costing about RM118 each soon and is looking forward to start the next cycle of his fertigation mini farm planting chillies and tomatoes.
“I learn from Google how to seed chillies and tomatoes, and will be planting them immediately after harvesting my rock melons,” he said.
Iskandar sees fertigation farming as a future for backyard farming and also offer healthy recreation that generate income for the younger generation.
“We may not be able to go big and turn this into full time business due to limitations but I wish to see every house with ample land in the village to go plant their own organic vegetables, fruits or herbs and make some money out of it,” he said.
Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST
by Abdul Hakim Bujang
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