Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD) and Sahyadri Farms have signed a letter of intent to start working on the “cleaner, healthier, safer and higher quality” production of fresh produce in India. The pair have begun work on a greenhouse project, which is set to result in the construction of a high-tech facility in the state of Maharashtra.
“Together, we intend to do research on customer wishes and future trends,” said Azhar Tambuwala, director of marketing at Sahyadri Farms. “We also want to talk to large retail chains, large hotel chains, large restaurant chains and large government-run organizations – like universities and the army – to find out what is the best crop, the most profitable crop and the most wanted crop that can be grown in greenhouses in a way that is more beneficial than open-field farming.”
“This feasibility study will shed light on commercial and technical feasibility and viability,” Tambuwala said. “The intent is to write a more compact and minimal feasibility report to venture into the next stage.” Once the feasibility report is complete, Sahyadri and DGD will canvas investors, growers and any other stakeholders deemed necessary.
Soft fruits, including a range of berry varieties, will be a key focus of the feasibility study. “DGD and Sahyadri Farms have decided to start investigating if locally grown fresh fruit is feasible. If so, together we will start providing locally grown, more sustainable, safer, cleaner, healthier soft fruits at a higher quality than imported, expensive soft fruits,” the statement said.
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