Tuguegarao City- It is expected that by the year 2050, water shortages will be experienced all over the world due to the increasing population. This poses a specific problem in the agricultural sector, which uses 82% of freshwater for crops.
Dr. Sylvester A. Badua, an associate professor at Central Luzon State University (CLSU), raised this concern while sharing his lecture on automated fertigation systems during the green economy forum, part of the 2024 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW), held on September 25, 2024 at SM City Tuguegarao.
With the theme “Providing Solutions and Opening Opportunities in the Green Economy,” the forum discussed sustainable agricultural practices and capacity building for innovation skills. It was organized by the DOST Regional Office No. II.
Dr. Badua reintroduced the concept of precision agriculture as a means of mitigating resource depletion. He defines it as the use of resources or inputs in the right amount, at the right place, and at the right time. A part of this agricultural technique is site-specific crop management (SSCM), which tailors farming practices to meet the unique needs of different areas within a single field.
One technology in precision agriculture is fertigation, a process that delivers fertilizers through irrigation systems. In simpler terms, it involves simultaneously supplying plants with the water and nutrients they need for specific growth requirements.
Fertigation has proven to be 90% nutrient efficient and 90% efficient in water use, reducing waste, minimizing the use of fertilizers, and lowering nutrient loss.
Fertigation is considered a precision agriculture technology for three reasons: precise location, timing, and application rates. The targeted application of water and fertilizers to the root system ensures nutrients are applied only when needed by the crops. Lastly, the application of fertilizers can be controlled to the right amount.
Dr. Badua discussed how fertigation systems can produce greater yields, eliminate pollution, and synchronize fertilization with crop needs, outlining the benefits of the technology. However, challenges include cost, system maintenance, and setup quality.
He then proceeded to explain the steps for setting up and implementing the fertigation system, which can be manually operated or automatic. He also presented a project involving the fertigation system that was implemented at CLSU.
As he concluded his lecture, he assured users that they can implement the fertigation system according to their preferences, such as the power source and other factors.
Aside from Dr. Badua, other topics discussed at the forum included Aquaponics, Hydroponics Technology, and Tower or Vertical Gardening, presented by Dr. Claire Marie Castillo, also from CLSU. The final topic was about building a dynamic innovation ecosystem in Cagayan Valley, presented by Mr. Karl Satinitigan.
For more information on these innovative discussions and training, please visit the official Facebook page of DOST Region II for full streaming videos (https://www.facebook.com/DOST.Region2). (By Kesha Shua V. Leosala, DOST-STII; information from DOST Region II).