First Hydroponic Harvest, Babel State Polman Precision Agriculture Study Program Reaps Success
Results from the first hydroponic harvest developed by the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic Precision Agriculture Study Program (Polman Babel).
The Bangka Belitung State Polytechnic Manufacturing Precision Agriculture Study Program (Polman Babel) succeeded in recording an important achievement by carrying out the first harvest of the hydroponic project they developed, Friday (27/09/2024).
This step is an initial milestone in the application of precision agricultural technology that is more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
In this activity, the team of lecturers involved, namely Mahmudin, S.P., M.Si., Limartaida Siahaan, S.Agr., M.Sc., and Priestiani, S.P., M.P., together with 30 Agriculture Study Program students, actively participated.
Limartaida Siahaan, S.Agr., M.Sc., one of the lecturers involved, explained that hydroponics is a farming innovation that uses water mixed with nutrients as a planting medium, replacing soil which is often used conventionally.
“Hydroponics is a smart solution amidst the increasingly limited fertile land nowadays. Apart from that, hydroponics does not depend on climate because planting is done in a greenhouse. "This method also requires less nutrition, produces more uniform plant growth, and reduces the risk of pest attacks and plant diseases (HPT)," he explained.
In this first harvest, the results picked were Pakchoy from one full installation and Lettuce from a quarter of the installation. “Pakchoy is planted in 90 holes, while Lettuce is planted in 20 holes. "The harvest results this time are quite maximum, the plants grow well, are healthy, and there are almost no pest attacks," continued Limartaida.
After this first harvest, the Polman Babel Precision Agriculture Study Program continues to be committed to continuing hydroponic cultivation. “The cultivation process from sowing to harvest will continue. "We, the lecturers, will support students in developing Ruang Tani UKM so that more students from various study programs will actively contribute," emphasized Marta.
Meanwhile, Sayyid Muhammad Khaidar, a student at the Precision Agriculture Study Program, expressed his enthusiasm for this activity. "I am always active in every stage of cultivation, starting from sowing, making nutrient solutions, transplanting, to maintaining plants," he said.
Apart from honing technical skills, this project also motivates students to develop creativity in creating high-quality products. "We are also planning a marketing strategy for the next harvest," concluded Sayyid.
