Hydroponics farming may provide the technology to meet the demand, say for vegetables or fruits.
With its consistent tropical weather that farmers from Japan and Korea envy, the island of Saipan is the place for hydroponics farming, according to Kim Hong Kyun, president of D.K.K. Farming Inc.
Currently based in Chalan Kanoa near corner of Brigida St. and Beach Road, D.K.K. Farming is using hydroponics farming initially for tomatoes for its three greenhouses, covering about 1,000 square meters
Kim, who brought the technology here three years ago, is hoping the CNMI government, farmers’ associations, and the private sector will further adopt hydroponics farming to spur the island’s economy.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil, according to Kim.
Kim recalled that he accompanied Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Department of Lands and Natural Resources secretary Ignacio T. Dela Cruz when they visited and observed hydroponics farming in Korea three years ago.
Kim said the visit later resulted in a sisterhood agreement between Fitial and Dela Cruz and Hong Seung City in Korea calling for the promotion of hydroponics farming in the NMI.
Kim is currently being helped by volunteers Joo Ho Joon and Jun Lee in the D.K.K. Farming operations.
Tomatoes are currently cultivated in their hydroponics farm in Chalan Kanoa, and other vegetables or fruits to follow, Kim said.
The potentials of hydroponics farming are too vast particularly the yield that translates income, Kim noted.
Ideally, Kim said, a farmer can take care of five greenhouses, each with four hydroponics’ plot, or a total of 20 plots.
Expected yield would be from half to a ton daily and a monthly net income of $10,000, according to Kim, based on their experience with hydroponics farming in Japan and Korea.
A tomato plant, Kim said, may continually yield from four to five months.
The tropical weather is the advantage of the Northern Mariana Islands with respect to hydroponics farming, compared to Japan and Korea, where there is snow that greatly affects its yield, according to Kim.
Kim added that a greenhouse can stand a typhoon with winds of more than 100 mph.
A typical greenhouse can be set up with four plots, with a size of six-yard by 50-yard plot, according to Kim.
Greenhouse installation can take from six to eight months, inclusive of the planting of seedlings, and the next two months will start harvesting, he added.
It will take many people during planting and harvesting, Kim said, adding that a regular farm technician will have five hours of work a day.
These include closely monitoring the greenhouse’s temperature through a hygrometer, sets off a sprinkler to neutralize the temperature, and the daily supply of fertilizer through a computer-operated system, he said.
Kim said their technology is zero-pesticide, while their water supply is harvested rainwater and from CUC.
Compared to regular farming, Kim noted that workforce will be trimmed down, but with a higher quality of yield.
Presently, Kim had set-up three greenhouses, with a three six-yard by 30-yard plots, and will be expanding to a six-yard by 100-yard plot.
Another component that is abundant on the island are coconut trees, where its husk will serve as its substitute soil and the fertile mountain soil to germinate the seedlings, according to Kim.
With the expected military build-up on Guam, Kim is confident in meeting the demands particularly with vegetables or fruits through hydroponics farming.
For more information, please call or visit D.K.K. Farming Inc. in Chalan Kanoa or call 235-3313 or 483-3185.
