Bobby Alaman / Caryl Trisha Yapac - MUCEP
February 18, 2025 8:50 A.M.
19
BS Agriculture Students Capacitate Women in Barangay Barra, Tudela Through Urban Hydroponic Gardening
On December 6, 2025, the 4th-year Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) students of the College of Agriculture from Misamis University conducted a capacity development activity for the women’s sector of Barangay Barra, Tudela, Misamis Occidental. The activity was held at the Barangay Hall and was actively participated in by 40 women residents of the community, barangay officials, 14 4th-year BS Agriculture students, and 2 faculty members.
The program aimed to promote urban gardening through hydroponics as a sustainable and practical approach to food production. The event was hosted by Ms. Junalyn S. Uy, Governor of the Local Student Body of the College of Agriculture and Forestry. It formally opened with a warm welcome from Kagawad Francisco Belano Jr., the Barangay Kagawad for Agriculture. He expressed his appreciation for the students’ initiative and community involvement.
Viffe Dampor (MU CAF alumnus and Municipal Agriculture Technician of Tudela) expressed his gratitude to the Misamis University College of Agriculture and Forestry for initiating the activity and extending it to the coastal community of Barangay Barra. He acknowledged the importance of such programs in bringing practical and innovative agricultural technologies closer to the community. He encouraged the participants to actively support and embrace urban agriculture, emphasizing that initiatives such as hydroponics and organic gardening can help support household income while ensuring a steady supply of fresh and nutritious food. According to him, adopting these practices not only strengthens food security but also opens opportunities for sustainable livelihood, especially for coastal communities.
Mr. Elvic Ryr Purol, a 4th BS Agriculture student and a proud Tudelanon, shared a practical and sustainable method for improving plant growth using locally available seaweeds. Seaweeds such as guso (sea moss), lato (sea grapes), and other seagrasses serve as excellent natural fertilizers because they are rich in essential minerals and natural growth hormones from the ocean. These nutrients help plants grow faster, strengthen their resistance to diseases, and improve overall crop health. Given that these seaweeds are abundant in the coastal areas of Barangay Barra, residents can easily produce their own liquid organic fertilizer. The process involves chopping fresh seaweed and mixing it with an equal amount of molasses or brown sugar. The mixture is then placed in a covered container to be fermented for about a month to fully extract the nutrients. To use the liquid fertilizer, simply dilute two tablespoons of the solution in one liter of water and integrate by watering the plants or spraying it on the leaves. This low-cost and eco-friendly technique provides community members with an effective way to enhance vegetable production while utilizing the natural resources readily available in their area.
Ms. Mae Maisa, a 4th-year BS Agriculture student from the Municipality of Tudela, shared her knowledge on the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), a simple yet efficient hydroponic system ideal for urban and small-space gardening. NFT is a method in which a thin film of nutrient-rich water continuously flows over plant roots that are supported in channels or PVC pipes. This constant flow allows plants to absorb the right amount of nutrients, water, and oxygen, resulting in healthy and fast-growing crops. Ms. Maisa explained that the channels are slightly sloped so that the nutrient solution can flow smoothly by gravity. The roots are only partially submerged, which ensures proper oxygenation, while the nutrient solution is recirculated, making the system both water- and nutrient-efficient.
Ms. Maisa also highlighted the advantages of NFTs. Compared to traditional soil-based farming, it uses significantly less water, promotes faster plant growth, and is suitable for leafy vegetables such as lettuce, pechay, kangkong, and herbs. Because the system requires minimal space, it is ideal for urban households and areas with limited land. Beyond the technical aspects, the students emphasized the importance of urban gardening and sustainable agriculture in improving human nutrition. They shared how hydroponics can help families grow fresh, safe, and nutritious food at home, even in small spaces. Overall, the activity strengthened community awareness of sustainable food production and empowered women with practical skills that can support household food security and create potential livelihood opportunities.
Agriculturist Ma. Shaira P. Tubigon, MUCAF Faculty and Community Extension Coordinator, emphasized the value of using hydroponic technology as a practical solution for the women's sector. She explained that this approach allows women to grow crops without the need for wide farming areas, making it ideal for households with limited space and easier to manage alongside daily responsibilities. She also highlighted that hydroponics is a cost-efficient technology that can serve as a potential source of livelihood. By adopting this method, women can produce fresh and healthy crops for their families while also creating opportunities to generate additional income, contributing to both household food security and economic empowerment.
The highlights of the activity were the turnover of various gardening inputs to support the participants in starting their own food production initiatives. These included six hydroponic units made of PVC pipes with complete NFT stands, 50 packs of vermicast fertilizer, 50 packs of soil conditioner, and 104 packs of assorted vegetable seeds. The BSA students also provided snacks to the participants. This turnover symbolized the project’s commitment to empowering the community by providing not only knowledge but also the necessary resources to practice sustainable and urban gardening, helping households take their first steps toward improved food security and self-sufficiency.
The organizers are thankful for the continued support of Dr. Karen Belina F. De Leon, President of Misamis University; Dr. Oliver Talip, OIC of the College of Agriculture and Forestry; Hon. Jemson Faulan, Barangay Captain of Barra; the barangay officials; and the constituents for their continued support of the undertakings of Misamis University in Barangay Barra as a partner community.
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