Everything You Need to Know About Hydroponics Farming

How this guy was able to launch a business with P500 capital using recycled materials.

After losing his job due to the pandemic, Archie King Macapagal learned hydroponics farming and started a business to support his family. Now, he shares his skills with others who need an alternative source of income.

Archie was a bus conductor who also worked as a Grab driver and masseur on the side. But when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public transportation and other sectors, he had to look for other revenue sources. 

“Tuloy ang gastos, pero walang pumapasok na pera… Sabi ko kay Lord, binigyan mo ako ng bahay, paano ko ito mahuhulugan,” he said.

That’s when he discovered hydroponics or a farming technology that uses no soil and minimal water.

With a P500 capital, he was able to launch a business right outside his house using recycled materials.

He said he only had to buy the starter kit that included seeds, nutrient solutions, and coco peat – finely-shredded coconut husk that replaces soil as a growing medium, to start a hydroponics garden using the Kratky method.

This is one of the simplest and least expensive techniques in hydroponics. It does not require any electricity, pumps, or water and oxygen systems, making it one of the best methods for beginners, he said. 

Archie was also able to save some money by using styrofoam boxes discarded by fruit vendors.

Preparation does not take a lot of time, he added. After sowing seeds in sterilized coco peat, it only takes 24 hours in incubation before a sprout grows which could be transplanted into the Kratky setup. Then in 25-30 days, the produce becomes available for harvest.

This simple setup has allowed him to pay for their needs during the lockdowns.

“Nag-start ako ng maliit, saka ko siya unti-unting pinalaki nung nakita kong malaki ang potential para maging source of income talaga,” he said.

Since then, Archie developed a greater skill in hydroponics farming. From just a small area in his yard, he now has a greenhouse, which allows him to plant and earn more.

“Nagsimulang lumawak ang kaalaman ko sa hydroponics, doon nagsimula ang journey ko na hanggang lumakas na siya. Hanggang sa dito ko na kinukuha yung pinambabayad ko sa bahay,” he said. 

While lettuce was the most common produce from this kind of farming, Archie said other fruits and vegetables that generally thrive well in water can grow via hydroponics. Other produce in his greenhouse are calamansi, eggplant, chili pepper, tomatoes, onion leeks, strawberry, and kangkong. 

“Itinanim ko po yan para dito sa bahay. Di na po bibili,” he said.

Archie further expanded his farming venture by founding the Green Pasture Hydroponics Supply, which sells starter kits and other materials. He had also become a consultant not only for his customers but also for organizations and communities seeking guidance on using this planting technology.

“Napakalaking bagay na matutunan natin yung ganitong pagtatanim. Nasa gilid lang, pero nakakapagtanim at nakakapag-harvest, kumikita ako nang sapat para mabigay ko ang pangangailangan ng aking pamilya. Napakabuti ng Diyos,” he said.

Want to start your own hydroponics garden? Get your starter kits from Archie King Macapagal’s Green Pasture Hydroponics Supply. [Embed: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064056284908]

Watch the video below for a full step-by-step explanation of how to grow your own hydroponics garden.

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