Automated greenhouse in Tagaytay uses fish waste to grow lettuce

The Department of Science and Technology is using automation and a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics to grow lettuce in a sustainable and efficient way.

In an interview on the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on Thursday, DOST Undersecretary Leah Buendia said that the greenhouse housing the crops is a closed system that uses nutrients from a tilapia pool to cultivate lettuce. It uses sensors to gather data on both the lettuce and the fish.

“’Yung waste material o dumi po na galing sa isda ay nako-convert po into fertilizers na siya pong nagagamit ng ating mga lechugas o other plant materials na nakatanim po, through water system lang kinukuha. Sustainability [happens] dahil closed system siya, hindi po masyado kailangan ng tubig. For one kilo of lettuce, kailangan lang po ay 20 liters of water for the year,” said Buendia.

(The waste material from the fish is converted into fertilizers that are used by our lettuce or other plant materials through the water system. Sustainability [happens] because it’s a closed system, it doesn’t need much water. For one kilo of lettuce, you would only need 20 liters of water for the year.)

“Dito po ay very efficient na kung ano lang po ang kailangan ng halaman, ‘yun lang po ang uptake ng halaman,” she added.

(This is very efficient because the plant uptake is only what it needs.)

While the DOST has been using leafy vegetables and tilapia for the initial study, Buendia said that other vegetables such as tomatoes and fish such as carps and koi may also be used for the greenhouse.

“Mayroon pong mga pagaaral na ano yung characteristics ng isda na pwede at ano po yung characteristics ng halaman na pwede pagsamahin in one system. May balance and compatibility,” Buendia said.

(We have studies on the characteristics of the fish and plants that can exist in one system. There is balance and compatibility)

She added that there was no stress in the environment due to the cleanliness and lack of dirt from other industries and environments outside the greenhouse.

The greenhouse, currently located in Tagaytay, is a collaborative project between Batangas State University and Turbulent Drop Sales Incorporated with funding from the DOST.

The agency is conducting costing and further analysis regarding possible expansion of the project. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News