A VISAYAS State University professor has been recognized by an international grant for his contributions in the field of agricultural chemistry.

Professor Felix Salas from the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry of VSU has been granted the 2020 Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture Regional Professorial Chair Award.

Part of the grant is the presentation of an inaugural lecture where Professor Salas will deliver a research paper on ‘Innovative Liquid Nutrient Formulations for improved yield and chemical characteristics of horticultural crops under an aggregate hydroponic system’.

“LNF is a nutrient management practice that incorporates both inorganic and organic nutrients as well as a liquid nutrient solution formula to be applied in a soilless hydroponic system. It is also seen to promote greater crop productivity, effective use of indigenous resources, efficient water utilization and thereby applicable as a climate change mitigation measure,” Salas said.

The professor shared how this technology can be vital in promoting food security and rural development in the Philippines.

“After typhoon Yolanda hit and devastated Eastern Visayas, a lot of farmlands were found contaminated with soil-borne pathogens which make traditional vegetable production difficult for farmers to sustain,” he said.

“The marriage of liquid nutrient formulation and aggregate hydroponics empowers ordinary people and marginal farmers to have food on their table through the vegetable cultivation process in a soilless culture,” he added.

Salas also emphasized the importance of achieving food independence and sufficiency amid the ongoing pandemic and climate change.

“With the uncertainties brought by climate change and the Covid19 pandemic, every family must help mitigate its effects by engaging in horticultural crop production through the LNF technology under an aggregate hydroponic system,” he said.

“It is relatively easy to handle, not time-consuming, cheap, environment-friendly, productive, profitable, and can also empower people to engage in sustainable plant agriculture,” he added.

Professor Salas is the sixth professor from VSU who has received SEARCA Regional Professorial Chair Grant. Previous grantees include Rotacio Gravoso and Zenaida Gonzaga in AY 2018 to 2019, Edgardo Tulin in AY 2017 to 2018, Victor Asio in AY 2014 to 2015 and Anabella Tulin in AY 2013 to 2014.

Since 2011, international grant SEARCA recognizes the accomplishments of individuals in the fields of agriculture and related sciences that contributed significantly to the area of agriculture and rural development in Southeast Asia.