A public school in Iligan City has taken gardening to the next level and it pulled off a feat that will make every salad lover green with envy.
The Iligan City National High School had just their first lettuce harvest ever, and they managed to rake in 30 kilograms of the fresh greens. That’s like striking gold in the world of veggies as the veggie haul converts to Php9,000 at Php300 a kilo.
This is all thanks to a high-tech hydroponic system right there on the campus. This leafy journey all started in July when the school’s alumni from Batch 1997 decided to make it happen.
They dropped a sweet Php913,468 to build this innovative hydroponic and smart farming system, set up by the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology’s Electronic Engineering Department for the school’s Senior High STEM track.
Dr. Jonathan dela Pena, Department of Education-Iligan schools division superintendent, gave a big shoutout to the alumni, calling them “legends” who embody the school’s success in creating top-notch citizens.
“I would like to express my heartfelt commendations and appreciation for your effort and my salute to you for being legends. You are proof that this school has been very successful in producing productive citizens because you are here giving back as productive alumni of ICNHS,” he said as quoted by MindaNews.
Hydroponics isn’t just your run-of-the-mill classroom lesson. It’s the future of farming, he added.
The local government is also totally on board with spreading the hydro love to the community: “We can start by identifying three to four schools that will be trained with hydroponics farming. Eventually, those trained will transfer the technology to the youths and parents in their communities,” said Mayor Frederick Siao.
Time for all schools to catch up on those lettuce gains because Iligan City just set the bar high!
