Food security is among the priority development thrusts of Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Kiko Benitez for the third district of Negros Occidental and the proposal of the Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas (TUPV) focusing on micro-farming through aquaponics offers positive potential for both urban and rural communities.
Benitez recently visited the demo farm developed by TUPV in Talisay City where Director Eric Malooy showcased a single mini farm-set-up using aquaponics technology with lettuce, pepper, tomatoes and tilapia ready for harvesting.
The project that will pool the efforts and resources of TUPV, the Third Congressional District Office, Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation and IF Green Technologies targets the development of a sustainable business model for food security, increased production of healthy food choices, training of beneficiary communities on aquaponics technology assisted farming and financial literacy, a press release from the office of Benitez said.
Micro-financing for expansion plans and marketing support through an e-commerce platform for the produce is also a vital component of the project, it said.
In the meeting with Benitez, Malooy and key TUPV representatives also introduced the solar powered water supply technology and disaster preparedness technologies for flood prediction, detection and monitoring through analytics, air quality monitoring, and data-driven disaster monitoring and response.*