HANGING FERTIGATION SYSTEM

HANGING FERTIGATION SYSTEM among recent technology applied by Malaysian farmers to gain more profit from growing selected fruit vegetables. From my observation this techniques are suitable for problematic area such as Acidic Soils condition, Peat Soils, Ex-tin mining area, Bris soils and those area subjected to flash flood. Improvement soil fertility in this area may costs about RM 6,000 - RM 7,000 per hectare by various soil treatments. This new hanging fertigation system able to reduce attack of soil borne diseases, damage due to flash flood and more yield due to early harvesting (1 week earlier) or longer crop harvesting period by 7-10 days compare to the conventional method. Selected crop such as Long Bean (Vigna sinensis), Brinjal (Solanum melongena), Angle Loofa (Luffa rectangular), Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) are planted using this technology. 


Below is the Hanging Fertigation System Technology based on my observation at Kuantan, Pahang. This simple technology claimed to ensure farmers net profit more than  three times in the case of growing a hectare of cucumber compare those planted by conventional method. However more study has to justify the technology in future.

The hanged poly-beg with fertigation irrigation system for each plants using PE Tubing and Nipper connected from pump. Each poly=beg contains planting media such as cocoapeats or peatmoss. The strength of the structure enough to support this system for more than few planting seasons.

The cucumber seedling in the hanged poly-beg at 1-4 days after sowing. Ensure the fertigation irrigation system functions.

An early growth with minimum management on weed control, spraying of pesticide and less risks from soil borne disease. Early creeping stage are important so that the young shoot would not fall to the ground.

Start bearing fruit one week earlier from the conventional planting method. The harvesting period extended for 7-10 days longer compare to the conventional growing cucumber on the soils. The fruit more uniform, cleaner and better quality due to the standard of fertilizer application together with some necessary pesticide and fungicide in the mixed solution. 

The almost matured cucumber ready for harvesting. For 0.4 hectare ( 1 acre) area the total costs of production RM 6,144.00 and produce 21,175 kilogram of fresh cucumber with ex-farm price RM 1.00/kg. Gross farm income calculated at RM 25,175 with net profit about RM 15,030. Converted to one hectare about RM 37,124 /ha compare to convention technology about RM 10,887/ha. As mentioned above this technology able to ensure 3 times profit to the farmers. 

The farmers has to invest more capital on the basic infrastructures in this system but with the assurance of higher farm income I believe more farmers will be able to apply this technology. Cucumber are best for fresh consumption eaten as raw with rich of vitamins and minerals. 


By,
M Anem
Kuantan, Pahang,
Malaysia
(23 R.Awal 1433H)