Hydroponics farmer eyes HACCP label

Hydroponics farmer, Lyndon C. Tan of Silang, Cavite, is nearing completion of the requirements for his certification as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) compliant, a basic requirement for food companies wanting to export their produce in the United States, Europe and other developed economies’ markets.

Tan’s hydroponics garden called Basic Necessity, located along the highway of Silang, Cavite, is expected to get HACCP certificate by January next year.

"I am almost done with the difficult part of my HACCP requirements and the remaining ones are not costly as the first batch of requirements" Tan said.

Part of the HACCP requirements include roofing sensitive processes such as the giant vacuum cooler, the only one of its kind in the country, which cools the cleaned-dried and packed lettuces at a temperature of 1 degree Celsius. The $250,000 vacuum cooler, which is the secret behind the freshness of imported lettuces, enables Basic Necessity to deliver its vegetables to institutional buyers in Manila in its fresh crisp state even after traveling for hours by land in refrigerated vans.

Next, the greenhouses and sprayers were completely sealed from possible contamination with toxic substances, including chemical sprays that might be released accidentally from the high speed sprayers.

Tan’s guard dogs were also screened off to the rest of the plants as part of HACCP compliance.

The whole greenhouse operation is devoted to lettuces – under HACCP requirements – so there is no potential mistake from shifting of crops, Tan said.

"It is hard and expensive but that is the price you pay for producing export quality vegetables," Tan said.

Tan already market tested Hong Kong, delivering a small volume last month just to test the acceptance of his lettuces in the market.

Hopefully, if the Hongkong market proves lucrative, we will also test in the other Asian markets, Tan said.