Ho and Abdul Razak inspecting the vegetables at an aquaponics farm inside the Gombak and Petaling district agriculture office.
THE Gombak and Petaling District Agriculture Office in Jalan Gombak, Selangor, facilitates planting research.
For the past 10 years, more than five farmers have benefitted from the rent-free sites with basic amenities such as greenhouses.
“Each participant is given two years to test out their planting methodology,” said district agriculture officer Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman.
“Other district agricultural offices are also offering the same service. Those who intend to carry out research should enquire at their respective districts for space availability,” he advised.
He said there were several ongoing projects.
At the aquaponics site, consultant Ho Yue Shin was inspecting a verdant blanket of duckweed covering the surface of her vegetable patches that were growing in deep water culture tanks.
She is hoping that it will one day replace the protein pellets to feed the tilapia fish nurturing her greens.
Ho has also been recording data on how guppies introduced into the tanks are reducing mosquito larvae growth.
She said she learned the importance of backup generators that activate immediately when a power outage occured, after nearly losing a tankful of jade perches in the early days of the farm’s set up.
Other high-tech cultivation methods being researched here include growing of melons using hydroponics.
According to Abdul Razak, the researchers are testing an auto-dosing system where the administration of water, fertiliser as well as temperature and ventilation controls can be made remotely using a smart phone.
“The information and knowledge gained from this testing is to be shared with other farmers.
“Not having to reinvent the wheel can save other farmers much time, expenses and hopefully reduce production time,” he said.
At present, there are sites within the grounds for fertigation, conventional planting and a mushroom house.
Abdul Razak himself is five months into testing and developing his own fertigation system, which aims to reduce watering frequency by half.
He has been experimenting on growing chillies with lightweight expanded clay aggregate as well as with coco peat in pots with built-in irrigation.
He said that if participants had not worked on their plots for six months, they would be asked to make way for others.
“The public can visit during office hours to learn from duty officers about ongoing research.
“The Gombak and Petaling District Agriculture Office also hosts a farmer’s market every Saturday, from 7am to 12.30pm,” he added.
Abdul Razak said one of the aims of these research sites was to address food security in Selangor.
“Only 23% of fruits and vegetables sold in the wholesale markets are grown within the state.
“One of the challenges is the scarcity of agricultural land, as much of it has been allocated for industrial activities.
“This is why we are also reaching out to communities, encouraging them to start their own edible gardens,” he said.
