Urban hydroponics for diversified agriculture: Part II
Presented by: Dr. Jose Carandang VI, Biology Department, De La Salle University
Date of presentation: 03 October 2014
Venue: Yuchengco seminar room 409, De La Salle University
Abstract
A previous project has proven that urban agriculture is feasible and more environment friendly than traditional agriculture. The question arose if the yield of urban agriculture through hydroponics is comparable to organic farming or not. Evidence gathered showing comparability should provide added value to the products of urban agriculture. This can in turn make the practice of urban agriculture not only more profitable but also more attractive. A hydroponics set-up was placed in the rooftop of St. Joseph Hall of De La Salle University in Manila. The organic farming set-up was placed in the grounds of De La Salle University in Dasmariñas City, Cavite. Both locations are in urbanized locations but the Dasmariñas set—up is also in the vicinity of farms and orchards. Results indicate that hydroponically grown lettuce can be grown faster. However, the nutrient content of the yield as well as other chemical contaminant content for both methods of agriculture are comparable with one another. This project is also particularly relevant for schools and universities, areas of learning, where students have the opportunity to reconnect with nature and the food supply chain.
About the authors:
Jose Santos R. Carandang, VI is a full professor of Biology at De La Salle University where he is currently the Dean of the College of Science. His recent research involvement is on food security in collaboration with Dr. Robert Taylor of Montclair State University, New Jersey in the USA, as well as in the management and biological control of invasive species affecting food production. Dr. Carandang is a product of the University of Wuerzburg in Germany where he earned his doctorate in Natural Science and where he did a number of his post-doctoral researches. He also has a Master in National Security Administration degree from the National Defense College of the Philippines and a Master of Science in Biology from De La Salle University. Dr. Carandang was the founding director of the De La Salle Food Institute. He also was the Member for Biology of the Commission on Higher Education – Technical Panel for Science and Mathematics.
Robert W. Taylor is a Professor of Urban Sustainability/Environmental Management in the Department of Earth and Environmental Studies at Montclair State University of New Jersey, USA. He is on the Faculty of the PhD Program in Environmental Management and Coordinator of the M.S. Program in Sustainability Science – Professional Science Master’s (PSM). He was a Visiting Fulbright Scholar at De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines and a Vietnam Educational Foundation (VEF) Scholar at Ho Chi Minh University of Natural Resources and Environment in Vietnam. He has written extensively in the fields of sustainability planning for cities; and the use of innovative technologies for urban adaptation to climate change and extreme weather. He is currently researching policy, architectural design, and technologies for urban housing vulnerability to extreme weather events in global coastal cities.
Josemari S. Calleja is an administrator at De La Salle University where he is currently the Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Development. His primary areas of research are environmental and poverty studies. Mr. Calleja earned his degree in BS Biology from the University of the Philippines – Diliman and his MS in Environmental Studies and Ecosystems Management from De La Salle University. He is currently taking up his PhD in Development Studies in DLSU. Mr. Calleja was the founding director of the DLSU Campus Sustainability Office and is a member of the Philippine Political Science Association.
Edito A. Busayong is an Associate Professor of Agribusiness Management at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas. He earned his MBA from the Philippine Christian University-Manila and is currently working on his PhD in Development Administration. His fields of interests are in crop and animals production. His recent projects are in urban agriculture particularly the design and development of innovative methods for food production in backyards and open areas in municipalities. He also teaches the amateur farmer how to market his products.
Eric Camilo R. Punzalan obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1964 from De La Salle University (DLSU) as a COCOFED full scholar. He served as a junior faculty member of the same department shortly thereafter before leaving for the United States in 1988. After finishing graduate studies at the University of Connecticut under Prof William F. Bailey and a Post-doctoral research stint at the University of Chicago with Prof Philip Eaton, he returned to the Philippines under the Balik Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). He specializes in organic/organometallic chemistry and environmental science. He returned to DLSU Chemistry Department and served as Research Director for the College of Science from 1999 to 2005. During this period, he instituted the DLSU Research Congress and revived the college journal now known as the Manila Journal of Science (MJS). He is currently Editor-in-Chief of MJS.
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