Delphy's Glass Vegetable team visited Finland to gain inspiration and explore innovative developments in greenhouse horticulture. They visited four farms in Närpes, a horticultural area known for its efficient and sustainable production despite challenging climatic conditions.
1. Sigg-Plant: A modern nursery specializing in vegetable plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. Hygiene and automation are key: plants are raised completely hands-free and transported in cardboard boxes, making transport easy and hygienic.
2. Johan Prinsén: High-tech greenhouse where cucumbers and tomatoes are grown under full LED light. Innovative techniques, such as an automatic bagging system, ensure labor savings and high productivity. The goal is a yield of 235 kg/m², supported by a three-time annual crop rotation and intensive light management.
3. Martin & Jonathan Sigg: Full-LED greenhouse focused on tomatoes and peppers, grown on sustainable substrates such as mosswool. Challenges, such as moisture problems and fruit quality, are addressed with new technologies such as dehumidifiers and precision management.
4. Närpes Grönsaker: A cooperative of 34 growers with a combined production of 46 hectares. They have a strong focus on branding, growing their market share from 6% to 83%. Market research and innovation have shifted production from bulk to specialty tomatoes, with strong domestic prices.
The Finnish sector is distinguished by trends such as full-LED lighting, sustainable substrates, and efficient energy management. The stable electricity grid, largely CO2-free, makes exposed crops feasible. The knowledge and techniques gained by the Delphy team offer valuable insights applicable to Dutch greenhouse farming.
For more information:
Delphy
[email protected]
https://delphy.nl
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