In the heart of the Qatari desert, where arable land is scant and water even scarcer, an OFW has turned his living room and kitchen into a veritable oasis brimming with lush greenery and fresh vegetables.
It is here, amidst the arid environment of Qatar, that Jeacim Francis Adaya, a senior accountant in one of the leading automobile companies in the state of Qatar, has cultivated not only a thriving indoor hydroponics garden but also a community of enthusiasts, eager to learn the benefits of soil-less farming.
“I stumbled upon a captivating video on YouTube about hydroponics,” shares Adaya with The Global Filipino Magazine, recounting how the journey began in 2020, a time when everyone sought avenues to stay occupied amidst the global pandemic.
It was a pathway into a productive family activity that initially faced setbacks but spurred him to delve deeper and gather knowledge from fellow gardeners in Qatar and the Philippines.
A second attempt, blossoming around September 2022, now thrives with the harmonious convergence of family involvement and an unremitting spirit of learning.
“My hydroponics journey has changed my life,” Adaya reflects.
“It gave me a better view of home gardening experience – that it is possible even with a very limited space, but with the right amount of knowledge, passion, and persistence, it could meet sustainability goals.”
The soil-less cultivation under LED lights has brought forth a lush variety of vegetables including varieties of lettuce, Pechay, Pak Choi, and Kangkong.
These plants find their home in a setup that not only affords a controlled environment but adds an aesthetic value to the living space with living and breathing walls.
Adaya mentions, “The limitations of the weather here in Qatar is also an added reason [to choose indoor hydroponics], since plants are unable to grow under high temperature and humidity, unlike being in a much more controlled environment, it gives them the ability to germinate well and grow healthier.”
Not confined to just the indoor setup, Adaya expands his hydroponics venture seasonally, utilizing the cooler Qatari winter months from October to April for outdoor hydroponics farming. This allows him to leverage the favorable climatic conditions, introducing a diverse range of crops and further enhancing his hydroponics exploration.
What began as a family project has transcended into a community endeavor. Through the distribution of home-grown vegetables and hydroponics workshops, Adaya has fostered a culture of awareness and environmental sustainability in Qatar.
“Our home-grown vegetables are mainly for family and community consumption,” Adaya says, highlighting the joy and satisfaction derived from sharing the harvest with friends and workshop participants.
Moreover, the process of nurturing plants has offered a wealth of psychological benefits. Adaya feels that interaction with nature, especially for his children, fosters a deeper understanding of life and nature.
Adaya shares words of encouragement for others keen on embarking on their hydroponics journey in Qatar.
With “Success is the result of preparation meeting opportunities” as his mantra, he advocates perseverance and a readiness to learn from setbacks.
Through workshops and training sessions, he extends his expertise to a growing community, inviting more individuals to start their hydroponics journey.
“It gives me confidence that together, we can achieve our goals in advancing innovative approaches to environmental awareness and sustainability solutions,” Adaya conveys with a spirit of togetherness and community growth.
To learn more about hydroponics farming, contact Adaya at +974 3394 0329.
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This article has been published in Volume 4, Issue 5 of The Global Filipino Magazine. If you have a unique life story or know someone who does, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at eic@theglobalfilipinomagazine.com. If you’re interested in obtaining a print copy of the magazine, please contact Mr. JP Cosico at +971 54 482 0661.
