Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Spinach
I. Introduction
The demand for more organic and natural products have more than the past several
years increased due to environmental awareness, trends set by young consumers and the
willingness to stay healthy and live longer (Delventhal, 2020). Consumers want transparency
in their purchases wherein they are knowledgeable of where the products came from and
what ingredients are in the mix. This level of consciousness is justified by the fact that there
is far more junk that is available and processed food produced in the market than there is of
healthy and organic produce that one has to make a conscious choice of staying healthy and
having a balanced diet.
In the Philippines, it is known that farmers face a constant uphill battle. They have
the most vulnerable livelihood because the Philippines has a tropical climate, it is frequent
that natural disasters (i.e. storms and floods, el nino) come and go. These extreme weathers
are not only unpredictable and catastrophic, but it also disrupts crop productivity not to
mention implementing policies (i.e. rice tariffication law) that further harm the agricultural
sector. Moreover, a key goal for the Philippine government is to sustain agricultural
production growth to help achieve inclusive growth and poverty reduction (Rosegrant, Perez,
Pradesha, & Thomas, 2016).
Metro Manila in particular, according to 2019 statistics, is the world’s most densely
populated city (Leavy, 2019). And to think of occupying a plot of land to plant on and
eventually harvest with, compared to the province, is almost impossible because of
surrounding buildings, houses, subdivisions and settlement areas. In addition to population
density in Manila, agriculture is the most significant activity that contributes to soil erosion--
wearing a way of a field’s topsoil. Moreover, there is a need to come up with a way to be able
to grow organic and natural produce in urban areas like Metro Manila without having to take
up much space and in doing so avoiding soil erosion altogether. Hence, the proponents of this
study introduce Hydro-Farmily--a business that provides an alternative for growing organic
produce in urban areas.
Resh (1997) defines hydroponics as an alternative technique in which the soil is
replaced by an aqueous solution containing only the mineral elements required by vegetables.
According to Furlani (1998), plants grow in cultivation channels through which nutrient
solution circulates intermittently at defined intervals and is controlled by a timer, using their
own hydroponic cultivation profiles.
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is the vegetable used on a larger scale in hydroponics, also
known as NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) or laminar flow of nutrients technique. This is
consistent with Ohse et al. (2001), who state that hydroponics is an easy adaptation system
that has demonstrated high performance and cycle reductions when compared to growing in
soil. In 2012, lettuce and chicory yielded more than 24,946Mton and 223,487Hg/ha in the
world. Asia accounted for 57.1 percent of total production, while the Americas accounted for
24 percent, Europe accounted for 16.8 percent, Africa accounted for 1.3 percent, and Oceania
accounted for 0.9 percent. China, the United States, Spain, and Italy were the primary
producers. The main countries that delivered were Belgium-Luxembourg, Kuwait, Congo,
Austria, and the United States (FAOSTAT, 2014).
Spinach is a popular vegetable in the tropics of Southeast Asia, as well as in Japan,
Australia, and some parts of Africa. Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) is thought to be
indigenous to Africa, Asia, and the southwestern Pacific Islands. Since at least A.D., herbs
have been used as a medicinal vegetable in southern Asia. Since 300 B.C., and possibly since
200 B.C.
II. RATIONALE
It is recommended for urban areas where having a garden is not possible. Its space-
efficient design makes it ideal for setting up a garden wherever you like using old containers
around your house for your container garden is a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly
way to grow your plants. Common for people with yards, small patios, or balconies. Growing
plants for food or beauty in different types of containers -buckets, old tires, raised beds,
window boxes, kiddie pools, barrels, and shoes - is known as container gardening. Creating
container gardens for urban birds is also a great idea.
The Philippines, however, is still in its "seedling" stage, compared to other more
developed countries. Therefore, the number of choices available in more advanced countries
is far greater than those in the Philippines if I search online for organic or garden suppliers.
As well, the Philippines lacks good quality garden supplies and a variety of seed varieties.
The supply of hybrid seeds suitable for urban settings is limited, particularly dwarf varieties
best suited to pots. Most organic fertilizers and pesticides are not yet available in retail stores,
but a few suppliers of good-quality organic fertilizers. The majority of neighbourhood garden
suppliers specialize in landscaping services and ornamental plants.
III. ENTERPRISE
The enterprise is located at Barangay Matatalaib, Tarlac City, Tarlac. The business
are focuses on Indoor Hydroponic, which are the specific products are spinach and lettuce.
The researchers create a project to grow more spinach and lettuce even without planting in
the ground or soil.
IV. OBJECTIVES
A. General Objective
The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of Indoor Hydroponic
Farming for Lettuce and Spinach.
B. Specific Objectives
Determine the sustainability of Indoor-Hydroponics farming as compared to
the traditional way of farming.
.To project a system for producing hydroponic lettuce and spinach.
To increase the income of the enterprise.
BUSINESS/BRAND NAME
The prefix “hydro” was shortened from the word “hydroponics” which is a method of
growing plants without the use of soil. In an article where hydroponics is broken down,
Woodard (2019) explains, “This [hydroponics] system fosters rapid growth, stronger yields,
and superior quality.
When a plant is grown in soil, its roots are perpetually searching for the necessary
nutrition to support the plant. If a plant’s root system is exposed directly to water and
nutrition, the plant does not have to exert any energy in sustaining itself. The energy the roots
would have expended acquiring food and water can be redirected into the plant’s maturation.
As a result, leaf growth flourishes as does the blooming of fruits and flowers.” Moreover,
Hydro-Farmily not only markets to individuals and households, but to restaurants and
supermarkets as well, thanks to its accessibility. After all, the main goal is to organically
build healthy relationships that grow together as one big, happy Farmily.
MISSION
. To use hydroponics as the primary method to grow and provide fresh, organic, and
affordable agricultural produce with little to no environmental impact such as the use of
pesticides, herbicides, or genetically modified seeds.
VISION
To use innovation and sustainable eco-friendly materials to provide food security for
every individual.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The accomplishment of this undertaking are deemed beneficial to the following:
Potential Entrepreneurs and Businessmen
This study hopes to encourage potential business venturers to think out of the box and
determine what needs in the market are still not being met and motivate them to be
creative and innovative especially in this day and age where consumers are looking
for something different. And to assist those businesses who plan to enter the food
industry to choose the better alternative.
Local Farmers
This study also hopes to encourage local farmers to explore different ways in which
they can use what resources are available to them and turn it into an addition to their
livelihood. And to also bring an awareness about the potential market of indoor-
hydroponics farm systems as businesses in agricultural crops and cuisine industries
Teachers and Students
This would serve as a reference material for future studies particularly those in the
field of business and agriculture.
Future Researchers
This study helps in creating a frame of reference regarding the utilization of a
hydroponics system as means of growing organic vegetables and to hopefully be an
answer to some of their possible questions with this application.
Supervisory
Board
Board of
Risk Management
Directors
Compliance and
Corporate Affairs
Anti- Money
Laundering
Internal Audit
Sales
Investing Department Operations
Fund Back Office
Management
Portfolio Accounting
Management
Board of Directors
The board of directors, including the general manager or CEO (chief executive
officer), has very defined roles and responsibilities within the business organization.
Essentially, it is the role of the board of directors to hire the CEO or general manager of the
business and assess the overall direction and strategy of the business.
1) Recruit, supervise, retain, evaluate and compensate the manager. Recruiting, supervising,
retaining, evaluating and compensating the CEO or general manager are probably the most
important functions of the board of directors
2) Provide direction for the organization. The board has a strategic function in providing the
vision, mission and goals of the organization. These are often determined in combination
with the CEO or general manager of the business.
3) Establish a policy based governance system. The board has the responsibility of
developing a governance system for the business
4) Govern the organization and the relationship with the CEO. Another responsibility of the
board is to develop a governance system. The governance system involves how the board
interacts with the general manager or CEO.
5) Fiduciary duty to protect the organization’s assets and member’s investment. The board
has a fiduciary responsibility to represent and protect the member’s/investor’s interest in the
company. So the board has to make sure the assets of the company are kept in good order.
Corporate Affairs
1. Administers The Act And Regulates, As Well As, Supervises The Formation And
Incorporation Of Companies
Stipulates the functions, roles, responsibilities and activities assigned to that Act that led to
the establishment or formation of organizations and companies and every establishment
formed, must be done in accordance with the Act.
2. Supervises and Manages Formation Of Companies And Winding Up Of Companies
to make sure that it also involved in the management of winding up of companies and
organizations and the supervision of winding up of these companies.
3. Establishes Companies Registry and Maintains Companies Registry In Every State Of The
Federation
* Risk Management
A typical risk management function includes the steps listed above: identifying risks,
assessing them, forecasting future frequency and severity of losses, mitigating risks, finding
risk mitigation solutions, creating plans, conducting cost-benefits analyses, and implementing
programs for loss control and insurance. For each property risk exposure
*Computing the frequency and severity of losses for each of the property risk exposures
based on loss data
Forecasting future losses for each property risk exposure
Internal Audit
The role of internal audit is to provide independent assurance that an organisation's risk
management, governance and internal control processes are operating effectively. ... We must
be independent from the operations we evaluate and report to the highest level in an
organisation: senior managers and governors.
Sales
The actual functions of sales management include overseeing what the sales team is doing,
making plans and setting targets. It also includes generally ensuring the efficiency of the sales
process to get the best result for the business.
sales management is to ensure that targets are reached, but targets that are set too high will
never be reached. By running reports on sales figures over a period of time, especially those
produced by current members of the sales team, you’ll be able to calculate the most sensible
and achievable target for individuals and the team as a whole.
Investment Management
"The role of the Investment Management department is to manage Wespath Benefits and
Investments (Wespath) funds in a prudent manner consistent with its fiduciary obligation to
benefit plan participants and institutional clients.
Portfolio Management
* A portfolio manager is one who helps an individual invest in the best available investment
plans for guaranteed returns in the future.
*A portfolio manager plays a pivotal role in deciding the best investment plan for an
individual as per his income, age as well as ability to undertake risks
*Communicate with your client on a regular basis. A portfolio manager plays a major role in
setting financial goal of an individual. Be accessible to your clients.
Operation
*Many business strategies include supply chain configuration, sales, capacity to hold money,
and optimal utilization of human resources.
*This function of operations management is concerned with planning, organizing, directing,
and overall control of all activities within the organization.
Back Office
*The back office is the portion of a company made up of administration and support
personnel who are not client-facing. Back-office functions include settlements, clearances,
record maintenance, regulatory compliance, accounting, and IT services.
*responsible for providing all business functions related to its operations
*The back office is an essential part of any firm and associated job titles are often classified
under "Operations."
Accounting
* The main functions of accounting are to store and analyze financial information and
oversee monetary transactions. Accounting is used to prepare financial statements for a
company's employees, leaders, and investors. Accounting also functions to ensure the
payment of funds into and out of a company.
*Accounting creates a fiscal history for any company. It is used to track expenditures from
business operations as well as a company's profits
*It can also be utilized to predict financial success and the future needs of a company to
create budgets and take advantage of new growth opportunities.
Labor Works
Table 4. Labor Works Expenses
Labor Number of Days Description Wage Total
Employee (per day)
Potential Income
The average harvest of twelve production cycle was presented in Table 6,shows that
the Indoor-Hydroponics can accommodate a total of 560 cups of Lettuce and 560 cups of
Spinach. Lettuce was grown for 30 days while Spinach grown for 21 days. The harvest was
sold for ₱ 150 per kg. The average yield per plant has 48 grams and the total yield is 3,000 kg
thus amounted to Potential Gross Income per cropping of ₱450,000 and has a Potential Gross
Income per year of ₱5,400,000.
Table 5. Potential Income of Hydro-Family
Crop Grown Lettuce and Spinach
Growing Periods 12 (twelve)
Potential Production
Total Area: 500 square meter
Number of cups 1120
Maturing days Lettuce (30 days) Spinach (21 days)
Average yield per plant 48 grams
Total yield 3,000 kg
Unit price per kg ₱ 150
Potential Gross Income per season ₱ 450,000
Potential Gross Income per year ₱5,400,000
Cost of production
The cost of production, which is composed of total fixed and variable costs, was
tabulated in Table 7. Item under total fixed cost is the depreciation and repair and
maintenance of the materials used in the production of Indoor hydroponics. Depreciation
computed was 212,185 per year, while the repair and maintenance (R&M) costs were ₱
323,000 and other inputs for seeds, labor, fertilizers, chemicals, electricity and other
miscellaneous expenses made up the total variable cost of ₱ 1,339,913 annually. From these
values, it is interesting to note that, with 560 net cups of lettuce and 560 net cups of spinach
in the Indoor-Hydroponics measuring 500 square meter, the plant density is about 48.6 hills
per square meter per cropping or about 1,500 kg of lettuce per square meter and 1,500 kg of
spinach, annually. This is equal to annual gross income of about PhP 5,400,000 or PhP
450,000 per cropping season when multiplied by the selling price PhP 150.00 per kilogram.
Table 6. Cost of Production
Fixed Cost Php/yr
Depreciation 212,150
Repair and 323,000
Maintenance
Variable Cost
Construction of
Indoor- 415,185
Hydroponics
House
Production and 2,176,150
Trading
Components
Indoor- 1,339,913
Hydroponics cost
for 500 square
meter (seeds,
nutrition of/in
water, power,
hired labor,
workers)
Total 4,466,398
Power Consumption
Power Consumption in the Indoor-Hydroponics
Power Consumption= 4 Kw/hr
Operation= 24 hours a day
= 30 days a month
= 12 months
#of hours in the operation and power consumption in the Indoor-Hydroponics
12 x 30 =360
24 x 360 =8640
Table 7.Expenses on Power Consumption
Consumption Number of Total Power Rate per Kw Total
Rate (Kw/hr) Power Consumption (Php)
Consumption (Kw/Yr)
Water Consumption
Water Consumption in the Indoor-Hydroponics
260ft^3/month x 12 months= 3120 ft^3 -convert into cubic meters =88.349 cubic
meters
24 hours x 360 days =8640
Table 8. Expenses on Water Consumption
Consumption Number of hours Water Rate per m^3 Total
Rate (ft^3) of Total Water Consumption (Php)
Consumption (m^3/yr)
260 8640 2,246,400 0.19 426,816
Total 426,816
Hired Workers
Number of Number of Wage Total Number of Total Wage (per
Workers Working Days (per/person) Working Days of year)
per person all Workers
13 240 580 3120 1, 809,600
Total 1,809,600
20 x 12=240
13 x 240=3140 days of all 13 workers that needs to be paid.
The Hydro-Family will take a PhP 5,000,000 loan in a bank for the initial investment of the
enterprise. These are the Summary of Expenses of Hydro-Family and the cashflow.
Summary of Expenses
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Construction 415,185 - - - -
Procured of 1,641,070
Materials
Annual 212,150 240,150 260,000 300,000 320,000
Depreciation
Cost
Annual 323,000 300,000 320,000 360,000 400,000
Repair and
Maintenance
Procured of 1,943,000 - - - -
Planting
Materials
Labor Works 130,000 - - - -
Hired 1,809,000 1,809,000 1,809,000 1,809,000 1,809,000
Workers
Power 275,097 298,100 301,150 305,300 310,500
Consumption
Water 426,816 439,150 435,155 440,500 460,176
Consumption
Potential 5,400,000 5,580,000 5,760,000 5,940,000 6,120,000
Income
Cash Flow
Given: P= 5,000,000
r=12%~0.12
t=5 years
I=Prt
Indicator
REFERENCES
Delventhal, S. (2020). New Generation of Consumers Increase Demand for Natural Products.
Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/022217/study-shows-surge-
demand-natural-products.asp.
Hoops, Olshansky, Rosen & Tavares (2018). Copenhagen’s Case for Urban Farming: A
Feasibility Study. Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Retrieved from
https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/Eproject050118124600/unrestricted/
Copenhagens_Case_for_Urban_Farming.pdf?fbclid=IwR10hDSFvBH7JW-
wfUeEh7skVt_3VLm0pecJglo_Mg-vWz392vwp-YdNebY
Leavy, J. (2019). 10 Of The Most Densely Populated Cities In The World. Retrieved from
https://www.thetravel.com/most-densely-populated-cities-in-the-world/
Rimol (2017). 5 Reasons Hydroponic Growing is More Profitable Than Soil Growing.
Rosegrant, Mark W.; Perez, Nicostrato; Pradesha, Angga; and Thomas, Timothy S. (2016).
The economywide impacts of climate change on Philippine agriculture. Climate Change
Policy Note
Z.(2020). Hydroponics is Profitable: Even a small space can produce good income. Monthly
Agriculture. Retrieved from https://www.agriculture.com.ph/2020/01/28/hydroponics-is-
profitable-even-a-small-space-can-produe-good-income/?fbclid=IwAR0KhXibDC3lelh0D