Floating Lettuces project was unveiled by Erciyes University’s Agricultural Research and Application Center in a ground-breaking endeavor.
The “Floating Lettuces” project, which is expected to transform lettuce agriculture, was unveiled by Erciyes University’s Agricultural Research and Application Center (ERÜTAM) in a ground-breaking endeavor. This innovative project replaces traditional soil-based agriculture by growing lettuce on Styrofoam platforms in water-filled ponds.
The project not only showcases a remarkable leap in agricultural technology but is also set to become an integral part of higher education curricula, benefitting both national and international students.
Abdullah Ulaş, a lecturer specializing in soil science and plant nutrition, provided insights into the project, which commenced three months ago.
Ulaş explained that the program has attracted 23 master’s and doctoral students from diverse countries, including Iraq, Somalia, Ghana, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sudan, to participate in the training.
Students are instructed in cutting-edge techniques for cultivating lettuce on Styrofoam platforms in water-filled pools, entirely eliminating the need for soil. Equipped with this knowledge, students will have the capacity to implement this innovative method in their home countries, thus making substantial contributions to their respective economies.
“The floating lettuce project is entirely based on a water system. We aim to nurture the plants by providing a nutrient solution prepared in-house for the water. The dark hue of the lettuce results from the iron we supply. The primary objective of this project is to create employment opportunities in underdeveloped nations,” Ulaş elaborated.
He underscored that the system is entirely chemical-free, devoid of external pesticides or harmful insects. This approach ensures the purity of the produce and permits precise control over the nutrients supplied, characterizing it as a form of “good agriculture.”
Under controlled conditions, lettuce can be cultivated in approximately one month, a significant contrast to the three months typically required for traditional soil-based agriculture. Additionally, the new system allows for nearly continuous lettuce production, as opposed to the limited eight to nine harvests per year seen in traditional methods.
Hadı Hama Ameen, an Iraqi student who completed his undergraduate studies in soil sciences at the Faculty of Agriculture, expressed the profound impact of the project on his future endeavors. He remarked, “With this project, I’ll be able to grow and teach soil-free agriculture activities to the youth in my country and create employment opportunities.”
Saad Mohamed Hajı Nour, a Somali national pursuing a doctoral degree in the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies at ERÜTAM, shared his aspirations.
“After learning the floating lettuce project techniques here, I will help my people, especially our farmers in my country,” he declared. This innovative approach to lettuce cultivation promises a sustainable and efficient solution for agriculture, with far-reaching implications for countries seeking to enhance food production and spur economic growth.