The Indonesian government has urged people to consume more fruits and vegetables during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One increasingly popular alternative is the production of hydroponic vegetables, a form of gardening that doesn't use soil but grows plants quickly in a solution of water and nutrients.

Hydroponic plantation, Hydro Garden Padang in Nias Village, Padang City, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, has around 4,000 holes of various hydroponic vegetables.

Hydro Garden Padang worker, Wase explained, he can harvest around 1,000 holes of vegetables every month, including kale, pak choi, basil, and lettuce.

"This plantation, which has been established since 2014, harvests vegetables every day for a number of hotels and restaurants and is sent to the Mentawai Islands. In addition to vegetables, hydroponic seeds are also bought by residents to breed in their respective homes," he said.

Eating certain foods is not going to ward off coronavirus, but fruits and vegetables can boost your immune system,

During the Covid-19 outbreak, the government urged people to consume lots of fruits and vegetables to increase endurance. One alternative is to consume hydroponic vegetables that are free of pests and toxic pesticides which are dangerous if consumed by humans.

One of the hydroponic plantations, "Hydro Garden Padang" in Nias Village, Padang City, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, has around 4,000 holes of various hydroponic vegetables.

Hydroponics is a modern agricultural system or a technique of cultivating plants using water media and the plants obtain food from inorganic substances given at the time of watering.

The Hydro Garden Padang worker, Wase explained, every month he is able to harvest around 1000 holes of vegetables every month. Available plants are quite a lot including kale, pakcoy, basil, saladeri, lettuce, romaine and others.

"This plantation, which has been established since 2014, harvests vegetables every day for a number of hotels and restaurants, and is sent to the Mentawai Islands. In addition to vegetables, hydroponic seeds are also bought by residents to breed in their respective homes," he said, Tuesday, April 14, 2020 .

This hydroponic plant is very easy to care for, without poisoning pesticides and away from pests and plant diseases because of the care taken. Every day the plant is given vitamins to flourish and produce good leaves.

On the other hand, hydroponic plants also produce cooler air, reduce air pollution and are able to increase oxygen levels in the surrounding environment.

Wase also said that the quality produced from this hydroponic plant is different from using soil, which is greener, softer texture but the selling price is quite good because the treatment process and vitamins provided in the water content also affect the yield.

"The price of these vegetables varies, depending on the type, the lowest price of vegetables is around Rp. 10,000 a quarter. The reasonable price is quite in accordance with the quality provided to consumers," he said.


Video: Desrian Eristha / Opn Images