Catbaloganons experience ‘Greenhouse’ farming

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
August 12, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  Catbaloganon farmers have been in awe these days due to the almost miracle developments they have witnessed in ‘Greenhouse’ farming.

The greenhouse farm in Catbalogan is located in San Vicente, Catbalogan.

In a talk with Agriculture Regional Director Leo Cañeda, during the opening of the Bahandi han Samar agro-trade fair in Catbalogan City, he said that per structure costs at least some P180,000 with the department shouldering the amount.

Some 20 farmers from New Mahayag and its environs have enrolled in the comparative study of two farms; one is exposed to the elements called the open field while the other is inside a greenhouse.

The East-West Company, a multinational seed producer teaches the farmers the new technology to apply in the training.

Greenhouses are designed to protect tender or out-of-season plants against extreme cold or heat.

Catbalogan City Agriculturist Ruth Dasal said the greenhouses provide economical means of preventing pests and diseases from destroying high-value crops and vegetable planted within the greenhouse.

The Greenhouse project in Cabalogan, according to Cañeda will try to produce lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli, plants that have been successfully grown in Ormoc, Maasin and Calbayog City.

In Samar, Dasal said some greenhouses are in Calbayog and Sta Rita.

The training, according to Dasal’s assistant Daniel Daguman, is a step-by-step management of the farm – the organic way.

The greenhouse has been established made of light, plastic materials and stainless steel tubes. It stands on a 3x18 meter lot with other furnishing needed for the growing of high-value crops and vegetables.

The local implementation of the technology underwent experimentation and trial period as agriculture technicians found it hard to adopt the said technology during its initial stage.

For farmers to see the difference, an open farm has also been established in a 1x15 lot, Daguman added. Here they grow pechay, mustards, lettuce and ampalaya.