Projar, the company that is bringing hydroponics to the main blueberry and raspberry producers
Its key: a long trajectory next to farmers around the world and the use of special raw materials
The Projar Group is composed of several companies in the green sector, among which its substrate manufacturing activity and emerging crop area stand out. Currently exporting to 20 countries and have become one of the leading companies in the world of hydroponics for berries.
In the new agriculture, which is planned in an industrial way, based on the use of new technologies, the concept of landless agriculture, or hydroponics, is extended. The reasons for choosing this way to manage crops are varied, such as the control of pests or pathogenic diseases, the best use of the water resource, or the climatic factor, among others.
Farming off-ground also arises because most agricultural areas are not as productive as they once were, due to lack of water, low soil fertility, space, the effects of climate, etc. For this reason, technological alternatives have been sought that allow the development of productive management more efficiently.
Photograph owned by Projar
The agricultural jump from cultivation in soil to hydroponic, requires the support of duly experienced technicians, in addition to top quality products that guarantee that the process is carried out successfully. Projar prepared 15 years ago a technical team that is now distributed throughout Europe, Africa and America, advising farmers for the choice and implementation of hydroponic solutions.
What exactly is Projar's proposal for the world of berries?
For what customers value us is to make available to our technicians when implementing a hydroponic production or later to follow up, providing them with a very complete range of products without the need to locate different suppliers, which also gives them allows to unify orders and save costs and time in logistics. In addition, the most important part of hydroponic cultivation is the substrate, and we are one of the most experienced manufacturers in this type of crop.
The type of company we are, and our origin, allow us to be flexible and work hand in hand with the producer, but on the other, to be able to offer service in different parts of the planet with total reliability.
Where and how do they develop the process of making the coconut fiber substrate and how is it different from the others?
We have factories in India and Sri Lanka where we work with a high quality control to provide the customer with a total homogeneity in the crop and thus avoid the inconvenience of the lack of uniformity in the development of the plants. The main difference with other producers is that we select the raw material very well, because not all coconut husks are the same, and for us a stable coconut fiber is very important, which can only be obtained from ripe peels, which it is difficult to find the market raw material. In addition, in our manufacturing process, the coconut goes through an aging process that is very important to respect meticulously, without rushing to exit the product, because this makes the coconut reach a point of stability necessary for the good development of the plants , and therefore, obtaining better agricultural production.
Specifically, the coconut that is used for the mixtures we make for the cultivation of blueberries goes through a washing process, which allows to achieve a low electrical conductivity, essential for the cultivation of berries.
The coconut fiber that we elaborate especially for crops such as cranberry, also has a high percentage of fibers that facilitates high physical stability, which increases the aeration capacity of the substrate and good drainage in the crop.
Where and how is the peat substrate extraction process and what are the special qualities of your product over others?
Photograph owned by Projar
Our peat comes from Baltic countries and we use exclusively thick peat with total absence of fine particles. The key is in the use of selected fractions of a very special type of peat of the highest quality. In the case of peat, we also work with a special effort in the selection of high quality raw materials that we know have better results in cultivation. That is what has allowed us that some of the largest blueberry producers globally trust our product.
Do you have any recommended standard blueberry substrate mix?
We have 3 types of mixtures Try Professional special for the cultivation of this fruit: Sustraberry Cranberry, Sustraberry Cranberry Premium and Sustraberry Cranberry Excellence. Over the years we have ended up standardizing those 3 substrate varieties to expand the possibilities according to the cultivation method. These three products are registered in several territories and our customers say they are the best in the market. We also have some special mix made to order with exclusivity for certain customers.
Where are experiences of blueberry crops with Projar substrate and with what results?
Our substrates are already being used in crops of all cranberry producing countries in Latin America, in productions of African territory, in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.
We work for some of the most important blueberry producers globally, because they have proven that with our hydroponic solution, which combines substrate, pots and other supplements, production is greatly increased, especially during the first 3 years. Our oldest crop is 5 years old and has very satisfactory results.
Does the climatic factor affect the choice of substrate?
Of course, they influence the climate and the cultivated variety. They are not the same requirements - at the substrate level - those of a High Chill cranberry crop as for Cranberry Low Chill, but not only the variety influences, but the growing area.
Does the variety of the blueberry plant affect the choice of substrate?
More than the type of substrate, what does change depending on the variety is the management of the crop. Of course, small modifications of the substrate can be made to adapt more to a specific variety, but the most important point will be the management, planting place (latitude and altitude) depending on the climate and facilities that are available to choose a substrate. or another.
Photograph owned by Projar
Cranberry plants that are grown in a hydroponic system, benefit from greater stability and can be monitored to apply corrections of any kind. When growing in a pot or EasyPlanter, higher planting density is achieved because the space is better used. The weeds, diseases or biological pathogens do not affect the plant, as can occur in the soil, since it is done in a culture support where it is completely isolated.
In this field of modern and industrial agriculture, Projar maintains the leadership, not only in Spain and Portugal, but has continued to increase its presence in the rest of the countries, increasing specialization and recognition in the hydroponics area, positioning itself as a of the main companies in the market.
For more information:
Miriam Carter
BRAND MANAGER
Innovation, Marketing and Communication
Phone +34 (961)597 480 (Ext. 1013)
www.projargroup.com
Source: PROJAR - Blueberries Consulting
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