S Kalimantan's HSU develops hydroponic pak choy farm

Amuntai, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - North Hulu Sungai (HSU) Regent H Abdul Wahid HK remarked that hydroponic farm is suitable to be developed in the district whose most area are swampy.

"(This is) one of breakthrough that is very useful for our community, as the HSU consists of swamp waters very suitable with the hydroponic farming techniques," Wahid remarked when he visited hydroponic pak choy cultivation in Telaga Hanyar Village recently.

The hydroponic pak choy (bok choy) is being developed by the HSU Agricultural Counseling Office (BPP). Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil by instead using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.

Wahid said, pak choy farming was quite promosing, because the need for this vegetable was quite high every day and the price was not bad around Rp1,500 to Rp3,000 per bunch.

Read also: No more maternal and infant mortality in Sungai Tabukan, HSU

One of the counselor, Syarif Fadillah, explained that the floating raft technique made it possible to do planting media in water.

"Yield can be faster, because we do not need to cultivate land, just provide a pool of 4,5 x 2 square meter," he said.

When the regent visited, the pak choy hydroponic was demonstrated from nursery process, preparation of planting media, provision of nutrition to picking. Even the regent tried it himself with his hands.
 
“Very easy, no need of soil media,  no pesticide, so it is certainly healthy, and the important thing is the floating raft technique is very economical, so farmers will enjoy more of the profit," he said.

Syarif hoped this can improve the welfare of farmers in HSU and will support the program of HSU free from stunting. 

Related news: Indocement trains farmers in Kotabaru with hydroponic
Related news: Tungkaran, hydroponic pilot village