The design and technical specs for the Hydroponics Greenhouse are complete, and have been developed by Dr. Howard Resh, an internationally recognized pioneer hydroponics researcher, author, and practitioner. A detailed costing plan is in progress and a detailed design plan of the Hydroponics Project is available on request. Contingent on funding, the hydroponics greenhouse will be fully operational in summer 2010. The following is a little bit of information about the construction of the greenhouse and technical requirements of this program.
The greenhouse will be constructed with materials such as wood, bamboo, galvanized iron and shade cloth, along with a minimal use of polthylene. Side screens will be installed to protect the plants from insect and other pests. Lettuce, onions, green onions and herbs will be grown on raised beds while tomatoes and peppers will be grown in pots. At the initial point of construction, the greenhouse will consist of 38 pots, two 20m x 5m raised vegetable plots and an adjacent area for growing seedlings. In order to prevent the growth of weeds, the greenhouse floor will be covered with a weed mat. The greenhouse will be irrigated through a drip irrigation system utilizing technology to ensure appropriate and controlled timing for watering the vegetables. A nutrient reservoir with a 10,000 liter capacity will be installed three meters from the greenhouse, and will supply approximately 2000 liters of nutrient rich water to irrigate the entire greenhouse each day. All waste plastics will be recycled on site, and will serve as a potential platform for a future island-wide recycling program.
While lumber and galvanized iron will be purchased in Manado, pumps, impellers and other greenhouse construction materials and fertilizers unavailable locally will be shipped from the US. The imported supplies and construction materials are extremely durable, and will not need replacement for a number of years. However, the initial shipment will contain replacement supplies and contingencies while RACI researches other retailers in South East Asia with hydroponics supplies. So far Australia is likely the closest, viable option, with air mail routed through Bali to Manado. Replacement parts will not be an issue because they are not large and can easily be shipped air mail. The RACI Indonesia hydroponics program staff will receive extensive training from a consultant hydroponics expert and will be provided with an operations manual for greenhouse maintenance — positioning the RACI’s hydroponics team to be prepared to handle all conceivable issues. Day to day hydroponics operations will be managed by RACI Indonesia, while consultant expertise will be available on a continuous basis.
