SDG 2: Zero Hunger

As there has been an increasing problem in food insecurity, the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology’s (MSU-IIT) believes that a technology driven urban farming through Smart Hydroponics System would aid such problem.

MSU-IIT, in collaboration with the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines-Iligan Bay Chapter (IECEP-IBC), constructed the Hydroponics and Smart Farming System at the Iligan City National High School (ICNHS). Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. The project had its groundbreaking ceremony on July 25, 2023, with the aim of promoting sustainable agriculture practices that provide teachers and students with hands-on learning and research experience in hydroponic farming.

On September 25, 2023, the University then launched the Smart Hydroponics Project with a turnover, ribbon cutting, and first harvest ceremonies at ICNHS Campus. The school harvested 30 kilograms (kg) of lettuce with a market value of P9,000, or P300 per kg. The project enabled approximately 7000 High School students in the science curriculum as well as those pursuing the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) track to enhance their research capabilities in agricultural methods. It also benefited BS Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering Students of MSU-IIT for Automation Researches, Urban Farming Enthusiasts, and Health Conscious Individuals.

The smart hydroponics farming system at ICHNS is more than just a farming initiative of faculty members of MSU-IIT's College of Engineering (COE) who are alumni of Maxtein Batch ‘97 of ICNHS and officers of the Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers of the Philippines-Iligan City Chapter. Smart hydroponics embodies the fusion of technology and nature. Through this innovative system, the team of Dr. Jefferson A. Hora and Dr. Marven E. Jabian is cultivating not only lettuce or any other vegetable but also knowledge. It is also nurturing the minds of teachers and students at ICNHS.

The University, through its College of Education (CED), implemented the extension project entitled “Vegetable Garden-based Training Program for Men and Women: A Campaign for Food Sustainability”. This training program is in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Cabili Village Elementary School.

This Campaign for Food Sustainability is given to forty (40) 4P’s selected beneficiaries, as determined by the Barangay Santiago Council members through their Purok Presidents. Both the University and the DepEd have agreed to make the Cabili Village Elementary School a nursery of the propagated fast-moving crops such as pechay, malunggay, alugbati, among others.

The seedlings were distributed to batches of participants and were planted in the established garden at home. Parents will no longer be required to spend time at the school’s vegetable garden. Instead, parents will focus on their gardens at home which will serve as an extension source of the vegetables.

The combined vegetable harvest from the participants’ home and the school catered to an additional number of children in the feeding program. Notably, the research shows significant improvement on the children’s eating habits and weight. 

As such, a sustainable garden at home helps to continuously encourage men and women to practice sustainable healthy lifestyles; because when the initiation of healthy eating habits comes from the elderly, young individuals are more likely to be influenced.

As the poultry sector is now regarded as one of the dynamic industries for creating both direct and indirect employment opportunities, and considering that the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted every aspect of the chicken value chain, the University, in collaboration with the City Agriculture Office and PILMICO (an Agribusiness and Food & Nutrition company) conducted a training on alternative poultry production for men and women in Barangay Bunawan, Iligan City.

This extension training program on poultry raising was conducted at Bunawan Agricultural High School. Among the activities conducted are:

• Preparation of the poultry site

• Stocking and Marketing Lecture/Training

• Monitoring and Weighing of stocks

• Harvesting and packaging

• Culminating Activity

The beneficiaries learned the various aspects of poultry raising, from understanding the essentials of nutrition and disease prevention to effective management techniques.

After the training, the participants made their own small-scale poultry farming at home. Then the extension project team monitored the activity of the participants including on how much they have earned through poultry production.

Results showed that the participants were able to apply the knowledge and skills they learned in the training. They can now sustainably manage poultry raising as another means of livelihood, to help them grow their income by selling the harvested stock to the community.

As such, this extension project has not only provided the participants with vital skills, but it has also contributed to their economic empowerment and the enrichment of their communities.