SANDAKAN – For Hamsah Herman, what started as simple curiosity about fertigation systems – where plants are placed in polybags while an automatic irrigation system is used to inject fertilisers and water into the soil – led to him starting a small chilli farm.
That venture not only saw him becoming a pioneer of the application of the method locally, but it has also become a model case study of success for agricultural students here.
Met by The Vibes during a visit to his now-expanded farm at Mile 10 here recently, the former water treatment and electrical technician said: “What caught my interest was the fact that the system could triple the yield compared to conventional farming.
“Not only is that an amazing increase in output, but it also minimises soil diseases – which means that you are actually producing better-quality crops.
“Best of all, it not only works for chilli, but can be applied to other vegetables, such as cucumber and brinjal, too.”
The 41-year-old father of one now runs the farm full-time, taking care of 4,000 chilli trees that yield about four tonnes per season.
From 600 bags to four tonnes
Hamsah said he first heard about the fertigation system from friends in 2016, after which he made the decision to learn about the method online.
That led to 600 chilli trees being planted in polybags right in front of his own house – and the results were a pleasant surprise. This early success led the Sandakan native to attend two fertigation courses in the peninsula, and when that was done, he began looking for land to start a bigger farm.
Politeknik Sandakan Sabah was impressed by Hamsah’s efforts, and decided to provide him with a 0.8ha plot of land to set up his farm. It was an investment that has repaid the local institution of higher learning handsomely, and its students now regularly visit the farm to see how the fertigation system works.
Vegetable farming a viable business
Hamsah is encouraging other small-scale farmers here to apply a similar system.
“People have the misconception that agriculture and farming is a hard-work, low-return sector. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“The fertigation system will save you from all the watering and fertilising work because it is handled by an automatic irrigation system.
“Vegetable farming is also more lucrative now as demand is higher. And, we have better logistics facilities, so we can sell our crops to other districts as well.” – The Vibes, May 9, 2021
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