The ITS Abmas team when providing direct socialization at the greenhouse installation location to residents and local village officials

ITS Campus, ITS News – The fulfillment of vegetable food needs in Bawean Island, Gresik Regency, still relies on supplies from Java. Therefore, the Community Service (Abmas) team from the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November (ITS) designed a greenhouse with a photovoltaic-based water pump to support vegetable food needs.

ITS Abmas Team Coordinator Mochammad Adri Satria Musti said that the use of greenhouses in the agricultural process is currently increasingly in demand by the community. However, irrigation in greenhouse systems is still mostly done manually, requiring more workforce.

The ITS Abmas team during the socialization of greenhouse operations to residents and village officials

The student, who is usually called Andri, explained that the Abmas team from the Power System Simulation Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering ITS designed a hydroponic irrigation system in a greenhouse. The system is controlled automatically by a timer mounted on the battery box panel that is connected to the solar panel.

Assembling hydroponic equipment in a greenhouse by the ITS Abmas team

Furthermore, he explained that solar energy is the primary source of electrical energy. The energy source is supported by an electronic system that can change the operating point of the solar panel called, the Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT). “The MPPT system aims to maximize the absorbed power output to be more optimal,” he explained.

The 2019 Electrical Engineering student continued that the advantage of using solar energy is lower investment costs. The electrical energy obtained from the sun will be used as an energy source to pump water from the well. “This system can increase food production more environmentally friendly,” said Andri.

Andri explained again that the main components of the greenhouse are water tanks and pipes connected to a water pump. In addition, the conservatory is installed with sensors for humidity, oxygen levels, and pH levels. The component is optimized using a Raspberry Pi to be controlled remotely.

Greenhouse innovation integrated with photovoltaic-based water pump by the Abmas team from the Power System Simulation Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering ITS

The stage in implementing this greenhouse begins with outreach to residents. At this stage, counseling is given regarding the importance of vegetable food and the construction of a greenhouse using solar energy. After that, the procurement of tools and installation are carried out at the site. “Our program is well received by residents as evidenced by their enthusiasm to help at every stage,” said Andri.

Apart from still relying on vegetable supplies from Java, Andri continued that Bawean Island has soil that is not suitable for growing crops. The soil and land conditions in the area are mostly silt and salty water, and the regular clearing of mangrove forests causes this. “So technology is needed to increase the value of food production on Bawean Island,” he said.

ITS Abmas team with village officials on Bawean Island

In the future, Andri hopes that this program can increase the productivity of vegetable farming on Bawean Island. Because this is the first time a greenhouse has been held at this location, the Abmas team hopes to add insight to the community. “Hopefully this program will be the first step in growing food self-sufficiency in Bawean Island,” concluded Andri hopefully. (ITS Public Relation)

Reporter: Rayinda Santriana U S