How Grodan supports anywhere, anytime growing

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) enables the cultivation of specific crops almost anywhere and at any time, irrespective of local climate conditions or seasonal influences on crop cycles. As Area Manager for Grodan in the Asia Pacific region, Tico van Leeuwen works closely with professional growers who are enjoying the benefits of this approach. Here, we share some real-life examples illustrating how Grodan’s products and solutions are ‘ Designed to grow anywhere, anytime’ . 

Professional growers in the Asia Pacific region, who cultivate crops year-round in greenhouses despite extreme outdoor conditions, rely on expertise and guidance to optimize their operations. With daily contact with these growers, Tico van Leeuwen, Area Manager for Grodan, plays a crucial role in supporting their efforts. He helps them navigate challenges related to high temperatures, fluctuating light levels, and varying humidity, ensuring that their greenhouse environments remain conducive to optimal crop production. “All that’s needed is the basic greenhouse infrastructure: a high-tech greenhouse, a supply of water, electricity, a source of heat and, above all, a flat piece of land to build on,” says Tico. 

“For example, I have a customer in Australia’s highest town, Guyra, which is situated 1,330 metres above sea level. They chose the location in a scientific and strategic manner because it offers the optimal growing conditions: high radiation intensity combined with moderate temperatures – yes, even in Australia!” he adds. Using today’s advanced technology such as heating, ventilation, humidification and lighting, the grower can create, manage and maintain an optimal microclimate inside the greenhouse. This is what’s known as ‘precision growing’. 

The availability of water is becoming another pressing issue around the world, and the Asia Pacific region is no exception, according to Tico: “In South Korea, for example, a number of customers are choosing to work with Grodan in their CEA system. That’s because our soilless substrate allows growers to capture, treat and recycle unpolluted drain water, which is much harder with an open-field system, low- and mid-tech greenhouses, or other types of substrates. This means that the nutrients can be recaptured and reused, leading to decreased fertiliser costs, as well as reduced water usage.” In other words, this more sustainable approach is not only better for the individual grower from a cost perspective, but also as a more efficient way of using natural resources.   

At the other end of the scale from water shortages and droughts, there have been several recent examples of extreme flooding in parts of Asia Pacific, such as Australia and New Zealand. This can result in a shortage of fresh vegetables, thus posing a direct risk to the availability and consumption of healthy food. “Against this backdrop, CEA is rapidly gaining in popularity as growers realise that indoor cultivation not only produces higher yields, but also makes them largely immune to the elements. This gives them greater predictability, continuity and therefore peace of mind,” states the Area Manager.

Opportunities for multiple crop cycles 

Combined with the favourable climate conditions, CEA gives growers in the Asia Pacific region more flexibility to plant their crops at various moments throughout the year. “This opens up opportunities for multiple crop cycles per year and even year-round production, enabling growers to align their supply more closely with market demand. In countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and to some extent South Korea, I’ve noticed CEA is helping growers to become more flexible in switching between different crops; they are increasingly ‘planting to order’ to meet the needs of their major retail customers,” he adds. 

Just as in other regions of the world, growers in the Asia Pacific region are facing challenges associated with climate change and the lack of fertile land for agriculture. “Thanks to our stone wool growing media, they have the opportunity to opt for a sustainable substrate with which they can cultivate a balanced crop practically anywhere in the world – even in urban environments – and at any time of year,” comments Tico. Additionally, the usage of a stone wool substrate allows growers to quickly and adequately change their irrigation strategy in line with the ever-changing weather situation.  

“Moreover, the refreshment of ‘old’ nutrients and water is essential for a healthy root zone environment. Using our Grodan sensors and software platform, growers can monitor and optimally control the root zone conditions, i.e. the water content (WC%), EC/nutrient level and temperature, round the clock. Based on these insights, they can make data-driven decisions to optimise their crop performance,” he continues. 

Expert advice around the world

As a bonus, thanks to today’s technological connectivity, growers anywhere in the world can choose to share their data with the Grodan experts, who provide ongoing advice and guidance. “By working together in this way, we are helping growers to achieve a more balanced crop. In turn, this contributes to providing people in Asia Pacific and elsewhere in the world with access to fresh, safe and healthy food and medicines – both now and in the future,” concludes Tico.