UNAIR NEWS – It is undeniable that the cultivation system of plants continues to develop. Aquaponics is a system which combines fish (aquaculture) and plant (hydroponic) cultivation without requiring a lot of land.
Ten students of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) through 62nd Community Service Program (KKN) in Dukuh Kupang village, Dukuh Pakis sub-district, Surabaya, East Java, created aquaponic system. The aquaponics was carried out by the KKN team with the head of the community and several residents on July 10 and 17, 2020.
The program was an application of knowledge from the students Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK). The aquaponics uses catfish seeds and water spinach plants because they have very high rate of life, at 98 percent.
“The second reason is a quick harvest. If it is large, water spinach can be harvested every day, and maintenance is also easy, “said Idqa Nurtri Bhakti as a member of KKN.
The process begins by placing a netpot on the alvaboard that has been given a hole to plant water spinach seeds. Then, small pots are placed at the top of the aquaponics. Furthermore, at the bottom there is an artificial pond made of a large tub that is given catfish seeds.
“Then there is a hose that flows water from below to water the water spinach. So water spinach above will be a biological filter for pond water, and the catfish’s metabolism residue will be a natural fertilizer for spinach growth, “explained the Biology student.
According to her, there was a great enthusiasm from the community leaders towards the program and they felt happy with this new thing that was easy to learn and really helping.
“The community responded well, they felt this program was very useful because it might be new to them. So we are glad if the community are helped, ” she said.
With this aquaponics development, the result is expected to be used together, and it can be an example for residents who want to start an easy business. (*)
Author: Asthesia Dhea Cantika
Editor: Binti Q Masruroh
