SLSU-Hinunangan Agri-Students Gain Grounded Learning in Sustainable and Innovative Farming through Educational Tour
Third-year Bachelor of Science in Agriculture students majoring in Crop Science of Southern Leyte State University-Hinunangan get on board on a two-day educational tour, April 21-22, that immersed them in hands-on, science-based agricultural practices, spanning from traditional methods to advanced hydroponics and crop technologies.
On the first day of the field exposure, the students visited Cabintan Farm located in Barangay Cabintan, Ormoc City, under the guidance of the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science (FAFES) and Faculty Dean, Dr. John Paul R. Gapasin with Mr. Rodel O. Morales, operations manager of Cabintan Livelihood Communty Agriculture Coopratice (CALCOA-COOP) as the resource speaker. The farm, operating with animal-drawn tools and minimal chemical inputs, served as a model of sustainable agriculture. Approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CMO No. 63, s. 2017), the tour allowed students to learn practical methods including tomato trellising, repolyo cultivation, and seedling production using colluvial soil enriched with chicken dung and lime.
The farm also demonstrated key sustainable techniques such as Custodia Water Management, a non-contour method tailored to the terrain of the area, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Students observed a filter-based irrigation system with a fertilizer injector, part of the farm's comprehensive 50-year development plan. Among the crops observed were Chinese cabbage nearing its 45-day harvest cycle and the Umbok variety in its two-week growth stage, cultivated specifically for kimchi production.
On the second day, the educational journey continued at Visayas State University in Baybay City . A courtesy call was made to Dr. Moises Neil V. Seriño, Vice President for Administration and Finance of the Visayays State University. Students explored various departments and research sites. At the Lower Vegetable Production Area, Dr. Rosario A. Salas introduced the Recirculating Hydroponics System (Liquid Hydroponics) under the supervision of the Department of Horticulture. Vegetables transplanted on April 15, 2025, just a week prior to the visit, were growing in a system where water circulates every 30 minutes and nutrient feeding. The use of coco coir as a growing medium and a nutrient solution pump were also demonstrated.
In addition, the students learned about Aggregated Hydroponics, a soil-less farming technique using a 2:1 mixture of rice hull and sand enhanced with Stevia for improved nutrient absorption. Crops grown in this system included eggplant, chili, and basil.
A key learning area was the VSU-ACIAR GAP Site II, where Dr. Zenaida C. Gonzaga showcased year-round vegetable production using Protected Crop Technology, aligned with the principles of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The students were introduced to innovations such as the use of Wood Vinegar Bio-Stimulants, photoperiodic crop management, and a focus on Allium cepa (bulb onion), Region VIII's banner crop, which has shown promising results under hydroponic conditions.
The tour also featured rejuvenative pruning of eggplant, trellising of siling labuyo, and the use of tunnel-type protected structures for crops such as ampatola, a grafting of ampalaya and patola, highlighting the economic value of ampalaya and the disease resistance traits of patola. The inclusion of kamlong, a traditional vegetable, was also noted in crop management discussions.
Further expanding their horticultural knowledge, the group visited VSU’s Department of Horticulture Ornament Laboratory with Dr. Aljay Valida, where ornamental plant enhancement and post-harvest physiology studies were discussed. Crops such as bitter gourd and tomato were being tested for shelf life.
The group then proceeded to the Department of Agronomy led by Associate Professor Ed Allan L. Alcober, which offers five major fields of study: Crop Production and Management, Seed Technology, Farming Systems, Crop Physiology, and Organic Agriculture.
Capping off the educational exposure was the visit to the Department of Soil Science, headed by Dr. Deejay M. Lumanao. Students explored the department’s Mini Library and Geological Exhibit, curated by Dr. Victor B. Asio, which features an impressive collection of rock specimens from both local and international sources—emphasizing the foundational role of soil and geology in sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Gapasin emphasized the educational value of the tour, stating, “This educational exposure provides our students with the opportunity to connect theory with practice, something that cannot be fully achieved within the four walls of the classroom. I encourage other academic programs to embark on similar initiatives that bring our students closer to the communities and industries they will soon serve.”
The tour exemplified the university’s mission of fostering academic excellence, responsive research, and transformative extension services. By engaging with real-world agricultural systems and sustainable technologies, the activity directly supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 4: Quality Education, and Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. It also reinforces Southern Leyte State University’s commitment to producing future-ready graduates who are equipped to lead innovations in agriculture and rural development.
