UNS — The students of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, conducted training for wick system hydroponics for a family scale. The event was initiated by nine students of UNS within the Student Community Service Program (KKN) Group 29. This program was conducted on Monday (21/2/2021) in Tambakmas Village, Kebonsari Sub-District, Madiun. The participants of this activity are housewives, Women Farmers Group (KWT), and the administrator of the Family Welfare and Empowerment (PKK) unit in Tambakmas.
Hydroponics is a plant cultivation method without soil, but using water or nutritious mineral solution, which is needed by plants. The leader of the KKN group, Bagas Reista Prias Ragil Putra, states that wick system usage is one of the most simple systems among six basic hydroponics systems. This system is a passive system, which means no movements are involved because there is no circulation and water pump.
“The implementation of family-scale wick system hydroponics is favorable and effective in Tambakmas Village. This implementation can also become a business opportunity for the local community because this system saves water and does not need electrical tools,” Bagas explains.
Bagas, who has extensive knowledge in a hydroponics system, adds that the system will reduce capital requirements but deliver more revenue. The training was started with a general explanation of the hydroponics system and its varieties, nutrients needed, tools and material needed, and many others. “During the seeding process, Rockwool system can be used, but it can also be replaced with coconut husk as an alternative. We also practice how to cut Rockwool, sowing seeds, using water with low lime content, and how to mix AB nutrients solution according to the dosage,” added the student of Local Literature Study Program.
Bagas hopes this activity can increase the interest and knowledge of the local community toward hydroponics systems. The objective is to help the community in fulfilling their food stock need and utilize hydroponics as a business opportunity with great selling value during this PPKM policy implementation. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
