Lessons Learned from a Visit to the Agriculture Laboratory
Our sudden deployment to the Agriculture Laboratory was indeed shocking, but it turned out to be an exciting and fulfilling experience. Dr. Germs and his team welcomed us with open arms, and we knew from the very beginning that we were in good hands. The experience at the Agriculture Laboratory taught us the importance of insects, organic waste, Biogas, and grasses in agriculture, and highlighted the significance of confidence, proper waste management, and sustainability in promoting sustainable development in agriculture.
The first day at the lab was filled with so much fun as we went to the crop field to catch some insects. Despite the prickly heat against our skins, we enjoyed every moment of it. We learned that insects play a vital role in agriculture, as they can either be pests or beneficial organisms that help in pollination, pest control, and nutrient cycling. After catching insects, we proceeded to mix rice hull with soil, transfer it to a plastic pot, and brought it to the farm. It was amazing to see the area where we would plant our seeds, and we were excited to start our experiment. We searched for ingredients for our Calcium Phosphate, and it was quite challenging to find five liters of Coconut Vinegar and three kilograms of Eggshells. However, we learned that confidence is key, and it pays off to ask people for what you need.
Additionally, the experience highlighted the significance of curiosity and exploration in agriculture (Pardo & Borges, 2020). We were eager to learn and discover new things, and this curiosity led us to explore the crop field and search for ingredients for our experiment. This taught us the importance of being open-minded and curious in agriculture, as it can lead to new discoveries and innovations that can benefit the industry. In addition, the experience taught us about the importance of hands-on learning in agriculture. By participating in activities such as catching insects and mixing soil, we gained practical knowledge and skills that we could not have learned in a classroom. This reminded us of the significance of experiential learning in agriculture, as it helps us to better understand and appreciate the complexities of the industry.
The second day was fermentation day, and the area smelled awful. However, we endured it because we were more focused on the learnings and realizations we encountered. We discovered that simple things like rotten fruits and eggshells could help with the growth and resistance of plants, as well as the soil. It was an eye-opener to learn that organic waste could be transformed into a valuable resource for agriculture (Pandyaswargo et al., 2019). We also realized that proper waste management is essential to promote sustainability in agriculture.
Furthermore, the fermentation process taught us about the importance of patience and attention to detail. We learned that the process of fermentation takes time and cannot be rushed, as it requires specific conditions to be met to ensure the best results. This reminded us of the importance of being patient and not rushing things, as sometimes the best things in life require time and effort to achieve (Priyadarshini & Abhilash, 2020). Moreover, the experience highlighted the significance of sustainability in agriculture. We realized that the use of organic waste as a resource not only helps to reduce waste and promote environmental sustainability but also enhances the productivity of crops. This taught us the importance of adopting sustainable practices in agriculture to promote long-term productivity, profitability, and environmental health.
The third day was my most favorite because we learned about Biogas. It was a first for me, even the drilling of the drum. We learned that Biogas is a renewable energy source that can be produced from organic waste. We saw how organic waste could be transformed into Biogas, which could be used for cooking, heating, and electricity. It was fascinating to learn about the potential of Biogas to provide energy for rural communities and promote sustainable development.
Moreover, the experience highlighted the significance of innovation and creativity in agriculture. We learned that Biogas production is an innovative and creative solution to waste management and energy production, and it requires a combination of science, engineering, and entrepreneurship. This taught us the importance of promoting innovation and creativity in agriculture, as it can lead to new solutions and technologies that can benefit the industry. The experience taught us about the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in agriculture. Biogas production requires knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines, including biology, chemistry, engineering, and business (Mishra et al., 2021). This reminded us of the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration in agriculture, as it can lead to more comprehensive and effective solutions to complex challenges. The experience also taught us about the importance of promoting sustainability in agriculture. Biogas production is a sustainable solution to waste management and energy production, and it aligns with the principles of sustainable agriculture (Mishra et al., 2021). This reminded us of the significance of promoting sustainability in agriculture, as it can help ensure the long-term viability of the industry and its contribution to society.
During our visit, we also learned about the importance of grasses in agriculture. We were surprised to discover that leaving grasses untouched could serve as a support for our plants. It was a lesson learned that the best medicine to the disease or problem is the cause itself, and we should love and be friends with our enemies. In this case, the grasses that we thought were hindering the growth of our plants were actually helping them. It was a reminder that we should not judge things based on their appearance alone, and we should always seek to understand their value in the ecosystem 9Scordia & Cosentino, 2019).
In conclusion, our visit to the Agriculture Laboratory was a fulfilling and enriching experience. We learned about the importance of insects, organic waste, Biogas, and grasses in agriculture. We also learned about the value of confidence, proper waste management, and sustainability in agriculture. Most importantly, we learned that there is still so much to discover and unlock in the field of agriculture, and we should never stop learning and exploring. Our visit to the Agriculture Laboratory was not only a learning experience but also a reminder of the challenges facing agriculture today. With the increasing global population, climate change, and environmental degradation, agriculture faces numerous challenges that require innovative and sustainable solutions. Our visit to the laboratory provided us with insights into some of the solutions that could help address these challenges, such as Biogas and proper waste management.
References
Mishra, A., Kumar, M., Bolan, N. S., Kapley, A., Kumar, R., & Singh, L. (2021). Multidimensional approaches of biogas production and up-gradation: Opportunities and challenges. Bioresource Technology, 338, 125514.
Pandyaswargo, A. H., Jagath Dickella Gamaralalage, P., Liu, C., Knaus, M., Onoda, H., Mahichi, F., & Guo, Y. (2019). Challenges and an implementation framework for sustainable municipal organic waste management using biogas technology in emerging Asian Countries. Sustainability, 11(22), 6331.
Pardo, A., & Borges, P. A. (2020). Worldwide importance of insect pollination in apple orchards: A review. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 293, 106839.
Priyadarshini, P., & Abhilash, P. C. (2020). Circular economy practices within energy and waste management sectors of India: A meta-analysis. Bioresource Technology, 304, 123018.
Scordia, D., & Cosentino, S. L. (2019). Perennial energy grasses: Resilient crops in a changing European agriculture. Agriculture, 9(8), 169.
