There is an increasing demand for fresh, healthy food, and sustainable growing solutions, and with escalating costs impacting growers worldwide, efficiency is more important than ever.
Growers are finding that coco coir ticks a lot of boxes in terms of efficiency and sustainability, delivering higher yields and better-quality produce, economically.
“Essentially, we need to produce more with less, and this is where coir comes in. Not only can it be more economical to grow fresh food in coir, but it also means less land use change, because growing in protected environments is more efficient per square meter,” explains Sander Steinmann, Botanicoir global sales manager.
Future demand for coir is predicted to be high. According to Wageningen University and research in the Netherlands, it’s expected to have a four-fold growth between 2017 to 2050.
“Efficiency is key to survival. Optimal growing conditions will lead to higher yields in a sustainable growing media and will help to future-proof businesses, as well as being better for the environment than carbon-intensive alternatives,” says Sander.
Not all coir is the same
Not all coir is equal, according to Sander. He says that good quality coir is washed and/or buffered, with low electrical conductivity, and has an even uniformity of particles within the mix. This ensures water retention and drainage is optimal and helps to support healthy roots.
“Botanicoir’s manufacturing process is a cut above the rest. We take the coconut husk, split it into different particles and particle sizes and with these particles we make the end product. By splitting the ingredients up initially you can make the perfect consistency,” he says.
Sander says that the nature of the natural fibres within coco coir creates structural integrity that is long-lasting but also provides a controlled environment for precision growing. The homogenous distribution of uniform particle sizes within Botanicoir’s coco coir bags means that growers will see even and fast root development, leading to healthier, generative plants and increased crop yields.
“Pre-buffered coir offers a clean substrate for plants that is high in calcium to promote strong leaf and shoot development.
“Unfortunately, we find growers coming to us after purchasing a substandard product, and experiencing problems including perished crops as a result,” he says.
“The benefit of a high-quality consistent product is that they give growers more flexibility and longevity, because it’s designed for re-use,” he says.
Sander explains that the way Botanicoir produces its product also has less impact on the environment than many manufacturers. “We employ sun drying for natural drying and biomass energy for mechanical drying, ensuring sustainability. To optimise water usage, we recycle water for washing and buffering processes.
“Growers that want to achieve the highest yields are looking to source high quality material, and this does mean investing, but it guarantees better results.”
Sander explains that as well as having a high-quality product, most of the solutions are bespoke, and the team has a wealth of experience, expertise, and varying solutions specific to each grower, each crop, and each system. “Over 95% of what we sell is bespoke in some way and we are committed to individual growers’ needs.”
Future proofing
“Botanicoir has the only drier in the coco coir industry, meaning they can ensure a consistent supply all year round. The business is investing in a second drier this year.
“With rising demand, we need to ensure that we have a continued consistent supply all year round, even in monsoon season, when drying can be more challenging. We will then be the only coir manufacturer with two driers,” adds Sander.
