DOST introduces Greenhouse Technology in Eastern Samar

Ordinary farmers can earn big money if they plant the right varieties and learn how to grow their plants the right way. Unfortunately, most local farmers in Eastern Samar seem to know mono-cropping rice and coconut only. Thus, even if the province is suitable for the production of wide variety of crops, farmers continue to plant the common crops despite their dwindling incomes. On the other hand, those few farmers growing vegetables and other crops practice traditional and conventional methods that are oftentimes vulnerable to damages due to irregular weather conditions.

Mr. Benjamin Panaguiton of Cabong, Borongan E. Samar, a retired agriculturist, owner of Agreco Farm used to plant vegetables like pechay, ampalaya, and tomato. Recently, he found an opportunity to shift and venture into the production of high valued crops such as lettuce, cabbage and squash due to its low supply in the province.Suppliers of the said crops are from Cebu, Mindanao and Luzon and deliveries are irregular.

Mr. Panaguiton applied for the DOST Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program to acquire technology on greenhouse for vegetable production. Greenhouse technology has been proposed to answer the problem on unpredictable weather situation in Eastern Samar. The project proposal,assessed and endorsed by the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center in Eastern Samar, was approved with the amount P285,000.00 released as financial assistance to purchase the technology. True enough, the proponent was able to obtain (2) two units of greenhouse, one was used for hydroponics system and the other is for organic farming. Coupled with staggered planting scheme, the enterprise will be able to ensure regular supply of high valued crops in major public markets in Eastern Samar and neighbour provinces.

Mr.Panaguiton hopes to inspire his fellow Eastern Samareños to cultivate high valued crops and to use greenhouse technology so that quality vegetables are always available at affordable prices. He hopes that in the next few years, Eastern Samar will no longer import high valued crops from other provinces, and will become one of the main suppliers of high valued crops in other provinces as well. (LourlynCelada, SRS-I)