Oh, we just need to stop using raw manpower actions, they are inefficient. If we build buildings that give people something to do then we will have more free manpower for R&R and the same amount of work done.
The problem is that building these buildings cost resources that we don't necessarily have. More importantly, those buildings can only be used for very specific things, unlike Raw Manpower which can be used for everything. Raw Manpower is the safer bet to tackling the challenges of tomorrow. (I'm so sorry for making that cliche.)
We could even go really low tech with our hydroponic designs since they can be outdoors, just metal troughs put at an angle so water runs down the length, a collection barrel at the top and a pit for storing water at the bottom for overflow. With a pump or manual bucket moving we could supply many rows with one central flow system. Then plop in the GM crops. Even if it took 6-8 people to run the thing it would be more then worth it.
Except we don't know if the GM crops will even work in this soil. Remember, they were adapted for a place that was naturally devoid of any and all other life. We don't even know if the soil is compatible with Earth plants. (Come to think of it, does the atmosphere support our GM plants?) To find out if our GM crops will work on Chiron, we'll need to test out the rainwater, the soil, and possibly the local vegetation as well, meaning that getting our meat-producing LSL is vital for both short-term and long-term food gain.
Hydroponics are a bit more complicated than that though. They need nutrients as well.
Nope!
Hydroponics kit. Provides sustainably sufficient food for up to 50 active individuals, as long as water, and warmth with sunlight (or 15 MW of electricity) is provided.
All we need is water and sunlight.
EDIT: Actually, not even sunlight is needed! Just warmth.