"Demand for cocopeat and coir-based substrates has evolved in India, reflecting an industry shift towards soilless and hydroponic cultivation", says A.S Saikrishna, Marketing Director at Sai Substrates Pvt Ltd. "Adoption rates are climbing as Indian growers look out for solutions that save water, reduce seed losses, and achieve consistent plant health."
According to Saikrishna, soft fruits like blueberries and high-volume greenhouse vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers form the bulk of applications where these substrates find strong adoption. "Growers from these segments benefit from precision substrate management where they can control attributes strongly linked to quality and yield, like the root zone, water retention and aeration."
© Sai Substrates Pvt. Ltd.
Saikrishna notes an initial price sensitivity among growers transitioning from soil to coir-based substrates. "However, commercial producers increasingly view the modestly higher investment as worthwhile, given the returns in crop performance, stable operations, and long-term sustainability."
For blueberries in particular, Saikrishna highlights that his team is currently working on offerings tailored to pot sizes of 25 to 40 litres. He explains, "Matching coir-based substrates with pot size can help blueberries growers with more uniform root development and plant growth, as pre-sized, consistent fills are less prone to the variability that comes with manual expansion. Another benefit is direct integration with drip irrigation, which reduces labor and helps growers manage water and nutrition more effectively."
© Sai Substrates Pvt. Ltd.
Sai Substrates oversees the complete production cycle, from coconut husk processing to substrate manufacturing, offering dust-free and consistently graded substrates customized to crop, pot size and regional climate. Demand for their offerings goes beyond borders with exports to 40 countries.
Looking ahead, Saikrishna predicts "With South India's coconut production rising at 12.5% annually and improved plantation practices maintained, substrate pricing and availability are expected to stabilize by the first quarter of next year."
For more information:
A.S. Saikrishna
Sai Substrates Pvt. Ltd. 
© Sai Substrates Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: +91 91 59 447 010
Email: [email protected]
www.saisubstrates.com
