A party-list representative on Thursday said she will again push for the passage of the proposed Aeroponics Technology in Agricultural Production Act in the 18th Congress.
Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin of AAMBIS-OWA said the proposal will mandate the Department of Agriculture (DA) to conduct a comprehensive research and information drive on aeroponics technology applied in agricultural production. She said she will refile the measure when Congress opens on July 22. “[This technology] offers solutions which take advantage of newly invented modern technologies which are high-yield, cost-effective and ecologically sound,” Garin added. According to Garin, aeroponics is a soil-less, indoor farming method in which plants are grown and nourished by suspending their roots mid-air, keeping the humidity level at 100 percent, and regularly spraying them with a nutrient and water solution.
“Aeroponics is an efficient means to grow plants, without potting and repotting them to replenish their acess to nutrient-rich soil.
With aeroponics, farmers may use vertical and horizontal space to grow more plants using less floor space and conserve water by using sealed aeroponic systems,” she said.
“It is high time that the state must look at other farming methods to supplement our present agricultural output,” Garin added.
Citing the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Research and Development, the lawmaker said aeroponics could increase farmers’ income.
Under the bill, the DA will be mandated to promote the use of aeroponics agriculture as an instrument to further improve the production of high-value crops and vegetables in the country and address food-security concerns.
Also, the measure calls on the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to spearhead the integration of Aeroponics Technology in the academic curriculum for secondary and tertiary level students of both private and public academic institutions offering courses on Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics and/or other subjects related to agriculture.