Tech4agri: The Web series: Ep 4 – It’s called Hydroponics

A method of production using soil less medium and a circulating nutrient water system! It’s called Hydroponics, a long awaited episode of the web series.

Mr. Dipsingh, operator of the Choon Hydroponics farm, shares tips on how he brought his enterprise into a success.

He constantly seeks ways to improve upon the farm. He has maximised his space, ensured regular access to seedlings with his own nursery, looks after the well being of his employees and has cut cost by sourcing all material and inputs for the operation right here in Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr. Dipsingh also explained that Agriculture is a sustainable endeavour for himself and his family as he left a high paying job in the IT sector at the executive level, to pursue farming.

Watch the series for more and do share with your friends and colleagues! Stay dedicated!

 

 

 

Producers on the ‘Innocentive’ – Part 3

In the town of Arouca, east Trinidad lies one of the most impressive hydroponic systems in Trinidad and Tobago.

It is ideally located an urban area between major towns, access roads and also near to the Piarco international airport. This means that their for fresh produce is ready for local, regional and international markets

The Choon family trio of  producers, grow high quality hydroponically grown lettuce and they make it a point to let the general public know of this on their simple but very effectively labeling.

Also to note is their bar-code which assists in keeping production records provides tracking in the unfortunate event of a breach in food safety.

Using their available landscape the production layout is spread out and raised for easy access and to assist in preventing pest infections. It is supported by a large pump room and tank system as illustrated below.

Apart from its scale the hydroponic system is automated and can be controlled by a control panel located in the pump room as illustrated below.

The device hanging from the ceiling (bottom left hand corner) serves an important purpose. As the Choons do not reside at the location of the enterprise this device is a camera which provides a live feed of the product levels flowing within the system, that is fertilizers and other nutrients.

This live feed is accessible over the internet. Therefore when at home the Choons can monitor the system’s activity and notify a nearby relative to resolve any problems that may arise.

All other parts of the system are in line with a regular hydroponic cycle however, on a medium scale.

 Unusual to be seen are the presence of fish nets hanging around the miniature shade house, nearby their pump room which serves as a seedling production center for the enterprise.

Mr. Choon explains, “Because of our raised irrigation lines we don’t have too many insect or fungus problems but there is another pest that is prevalent…birds. They fly down and peck at the lettuce. People ‘eat with their eyes’. They will only buy what looks good. We have already made strides in producing good quality vegetables. So why not ensure it looks good as well.”

In the vein of the term ‘innocentive’ this set up is simply ingenious.

Producers on the ‘Innocentive’ – Part 1

The first in our series begins with an experimental set up by the manager of the Victory Country Ministry of Food Production Office, Saleem.

Though there are many tasks for this agricultural office which services the urban to rural area of Princess Town in south Trinidad, Saleem understands the importance of research and development.

Operating on an aquaponics system, Saleem planned and established the station by using very little space, thoughtfully placing the tank of tilapia fish, the locally preferred species for the craft underneath its raised hydroponics bed.

What is more striking however is the variety of items being grown in this one station.

The set up has lettuce, the most common of crops grown on hydroponic systems as well as chadon beni (cilantro), thyme, watercress, parsley and to one’s disbelief a full sized tomato plant laden with growing produce.

The set up combines hydroponic  pvc pipe lines which feed the lettuce and patchoi, in addition to a gravel bed which provide a steady base for the root systems of the other herbs/spices and the tomatoes.

As expected both the lines and the gravel bed are supplied by the half barrel tank of tilapia beneath the frame of the structure.

The structure itself was built by Saleem and his team giving node to the design and construction skill set using easy to access material.

Drainage from the lines and the gravel bed flow back into the tialpia tank after providing rich nutrients to the plants closing the cycle and ensuring stable growth.

Saleem and company are testing to see which vegetables/herbs grow best in the system; a simple set up with an important goal as many aquaponics and hydroponic producers usual grow one major crop.

By proving that multiple crops can grow in the same system, it is possible that this ‘aquaponic intercropping’ can assist in the prevention of pests or bacteria, if any as some herbs can act as a deterrent. This notion requires further research and development.

Additionally producers that grow multiple crops will then have multiple sources of income, as the risk of failure of the system followed by the loss of a mono-crop is reduced.

Saleem’s efforts are directly beneficial to farmers due to his standing within the local ministry’s office. The initiative is of his doing meaning him and his team qualify as ‘innocentive’