Maan Farms, Canadian growers with a long history as local suppliers of Abbotsford, Fraser Valley, and Greater BC, began operations with the production of cole crops, but they soon changed to berries, mainly strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Nowadays, the company has diversified and covers a wide variety of activities, although berry growing remains the core activity of this family-owned business. In a few months, the company decided to enter the fascinating world of hydroponics, and they are now firm believers in the benefits of this cultivation method.
Amir Maan, an operations manager, and Kris Maan co-owner
Mann Farms trusted the Spanish company New Growing System to undertake a turnkey project which included the design, development, and manufacture of their oscillating system: "We love it. We love growing out of the soil, eliminating any possibility of soil-borne disease and other stuff that comes with it. It's clean", says grower Kris Mann.
NGS Oscillating Strawberry Gutters
Donald Gartland, Sales Manager of New Growing System in North America, says Mann Farms chose NGS-berry+, a product that is ideal for companies seeking to increase production, sometimes even doubling it, without expanding their cultivation area. "In addition to the advantages of hydroponics in terms of quality and performance, our oscillating NGS-berry+ system enables strawberries to grow at height, with cultivation lines going up and down to facilitate harvesting, maximize space and optimize production."
According to Amir Mann, it is a night-and-day difference compared to growing in soil. "Some key benefits are plant density, which is so much higher. It also allows us to obtain a product that is ready much quicker, meaning we can reach the marketplace before competitors. We're three weeks ahead of everybody else, which has a large impact economically."
Mann farms is so satisfied with this experience that they have asked New Growing System to undertake a new challenge: developing the second phase of this project, which should cover an additional 3,000 m2 of greenhouses also equipped with NGS-berry+.
For more information:
New Growing Systems
Paraje El Canadillar, 10 (04640) Pulpi
AlmerÃa, Spain
ngs@ngsystem.com
www.ngsystem.com