One Member Has Hundreds of Planting Holes
Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants by utilizing water without using soil. The water requirement for hydroponics is less than the water requirement for plant cultivation using soil.
Hydroponics uses water more efficiently, So it is very suitable to be applied to areas that have limited water supply. Actually the hydroponic mechanism is not difficult. It is just, the lack of information received by the community makes hydroponics in Banyuwangi still rarely interested.
That's what prompted a handful of hydroponic lovers to form a Banyuwangi hydroponic community. One of the administrators who was successfully interviewed by Jawa Pos Radar Banyuwangi (JP-RaBa) is Supri, 40.
The man from West Java who has lived in Jajag said:, the community was formed two years ago. "Actually if in a social media group, we have been formed since two years ago. But only one year ago, they were really active and running programs,he explained.
After holding ground coffee (kopdar), the community is officially formed. From hundreds of members, only 60 people who are active in action. They consist of various groups, start banking employee, trader, insurance, to farmers.
supri says, someone who will join the community will be fostered and trained by administrators or members who are already proficient. "Starting from media preparation for seedlings", planting-harvest stage, to marketing, we will guide you," he said.
Members can consult and ask the coach to come when experiencing difficulties. The community also opens consultations via short messages. This is done to prevent post-harvest failure. “We anticipate crop failures to a minimum,” he added.
The members are more enthusiastic about developing a hydroponic system after seeing the market response quite well lately. supri says, demand from Bali reaches one quintal per day. Previously, the harvest was only interested in the community. However, as time goes by, some parties are starting to look at their commodities.
What's more profitable, the price of hydroponic vegetables has a higher economic value. Supri gives an example, if watercress grown conventionally using soil is sold for Rp 8.000 per kilogram (Kg), hydroponic lettuce can be priced at Rp 25. 000 per Kg. Hydroponic crops also have certain market segments.
“On average, those who buy are those who are looking for non-chemical vegetables,he explained. Yes, Planting with a hydroponic system is identical to organic plants. Just pay attention to nutrition, light needs, and plant hygiene, as well as patience, Plants can grow with very good quality.
Some of the tools needed as planting media are paralon pipes or gutters as water containers and plants, rock wool, net and vitamins. Planting media doesn't have to be new. The important thing is that it is shaped like a cylinder or a block that can hold water.
With this media we can cultivate as many vegetables as we want in a limited area. Hydroponic system using water circulation technique. "It's not difficult if we want to be patient". The planting media must be cleaned frequently to avoid moss growing because it will affect the oxygen in the water,He said.
The enthusiasm of the members started to show when some people started to make hundreds of plant holes. Meanwhile, the new community is developing watercress and celery. Forward, this community will develop melon hydroponics, tomatoes, and okra.
"We're developing melons though. But because the production is still small, we only consume for the community,"said the alumni of the High School of Agriculture (SPMA) in West Java.(radar)
