Dashun Landscape Group in Tianjin is a large modern pot plant grower that produces high end quality crops like Anthuriums and Bromeliahs. The company's acreage measures an impressive 30 hectares with sophisticated Venlo glasshouse; it is their ambitious goal to expand to a hypermodern greenhouse operation of no less than 100 ha. You can easily say that Dashun is a leading Chinese company that is demonstrating the right direction for other Chinese growers.
Demonstrating that right direction is also the philosophy of Codema Systems; one of the suppliers that was involved in installing the greenhouse solutions at Dashun. They do not want to stay in their comfort zone, but go out there and show innovative ways of growing to their customers.. "Luckily enough, every now and then we have the privilege to be working with Chinese entrepreneurs like Dashun who embrace our high end technology", said Woodear Wang, Codema's export manager for Asia.
The first 30 ha of Dashun's greenhouses is equipped with ebb/flood floors, air humidification, a screening installation with three layers of climate screen (!), and even automated planting and spacing technology is included. The entire operation is completely computer-controlled. Moreover, six geothermic sources provide sustainable heating for this immense project.
At the 17th Hortiflorexpo in Shanghai last month, Codema was present with a multi layer cultivation growing unit. Wang: "Vertical farming is interesting for China, the tipping point is coming, so we think that it is good to be a little bit ahead of the market and lead the trend and demonstrate the right direction."
Wang explained that a grower like Dashun is very forward thinking. "This is the first time that a Chinese commercial growers embraced Dutch technology on such a large scale and at this level. We have spend a lot of time with this client and started to work on this project 4 years ago. The highlight of this project is a fully automated multi layered bench system inside the greenhouse."
The double layered bench system creates more space at the production floor; by creating an automated bench on a second level, less greenhouse space is required, which can bring down the production costs.
According to Wang, Dashun is a good example of what is possible in China with Dutch technology, but his experience learned Codema that this is just a very unique situation. "In order to create successful commercial, profitable projects in China, you will have to think in a different mindset. Simply copy a Dutch idea and install it in China tends to be very unsuccessful. That is why you see some older Dutch greenhouse projects over here from the 1980's with climate technology and installations. Nowadays they are all out of business, simply because the technology was not suitable for the users; they did not know how to use it."
Wang explained that the Chinese government promotes and makes funds and subsidies available; something that is good, but does not always guarantee success. "The industry will also need to know how they can commercialize the greenhouse solutions that come available with subsidies and funding. That is why our focus also lies in the development of dedicated technology, especially for the Chinese market. That doesn't mean that it can not be high end and advanced, but you will need to think ahead and be prepared and find a solution that fits the farmer."
At trade shows, Codema is often giving presentations or they have movies on display that show existing projects in Holland. "The attending growers always ask us what is the best for them, the expensive Dutch technology or a low tech system. We always explain that there can only be one the best; and that is the most suitable system, whether it is high or low tech doesn't matter. A solution of 150 Euro per square meter can be very profitable for us as a supplier, while it can become a grower's worst nightmare because he doesn't know how to use it!".
For more information:
Codema Systems Group
Michael Ploeg
mploeg@codemasystemsgroup.com
www.codemasystemsgroup.com