Significance of agrotechnical support
Ali Musayev — Head of International Sales.
One of the key and essential factors driving success of agricultural project is the agrotechnical and agronomic knowledge required to ensure optimum conditions and well-coordinated work of
all greenhouse systems at various stages of production.
When implementing agricultural projects on a "turnkey" basis, NIVA GREENHOUSES — one of the best companies in this field — often has to work in the countries unfamiliar with modern
technologies of greenhouse production.
In such cases, some of the main goals of NIVA GREENHOUSES are implementation of such technologies and successful application of agronomic developments. Therefore, the agrotechnical support in
our opinion is an indispensable part of a “turnkey” project and all the things needed for this work package. Our proposed solution may be adapted in several different ways taking into account
available agronomic know-how and financial restrictions of the customer.
Agrotechnical specialists of NIVA GREENHOUSES transfer to local employees their knowledge and know-how required at various project stages.
The agrotechnical support begins at the stage of determination of the project technical requirements and continues until final stages of preparation of harvested crops for delivery to the
market. That is why the agronomists of NIVA GREENHOUSES take active part in defining the project scope from the very beginning — the stage of price proposal.
The first service provided in the course of agrotechnical support is a detailed feasibility study. For several days an expert works on the project site who collects data and important
information, such as: local climatic conditions, available energy sources, water sources, overall dimensions and characteristics of the site allocated for greenhouse construction, water and
soil samples, needs of domestic market, needs of destination markets, country-specific process regulations, customer’s requirements and expectations relating to the planned
project.
Based on the results, the agronomist continues planning in accordance with two main protocols:
Crop protocol: includes all information required for growing cycle according to the type of crop, crop variety, planting calendar, harvesting calendar, crop treatment during growing cycle,
special instructions on post-harvest crop treatment and product preparation for delivery to the market of destination.
Fertilization and irrigation protocol: includes all information required for growing cycle, as applicable to irrigation, application of pesticides and fertilizers, taking into account water
quality, types of crops, types of available fertilizers and local climatic conditions.
The agrotechnical support is flexible by nature and may be adapted to the specific client needs. The main purpose is to develop the knowledge in local workers for general operation of a
greenhouse in the shortest time possible and at the highest level. In many cases, available support options depend on the client’s budget.
Basic option: An agronomist working at the site in the most important stages of growing cycle, e.g.: reconnaissance visit of a nursery farm to study the plants and the course of their
preparation for planting, site visit to supervise the progress of planting, farm visit at the beginning of trellising, at the beginning of harvesting and during product preparation for
delivery to the market of destination.
Full option: The professional farm manager working in cooperation with local manager appoints an agronomist for a limited pre-agreed period of time. With this option, a minimum period of
professional agrotechnical support is one full growing cycle. An agronomist is responsible for management of all professional aspects of the farm activity, is fully involved in the farm
operation and in decision-making processes relating to agronomic issues.
Apart from the above two options of agrotechnical support, the client may directly apply to an agronomic professional forum for assistance. The Forum experts consult and assist the on-site
agronomist in their weekly discussions relating to a specific crop, climatic conditions and stage of growing cycle.
The clients of NIVA GREENHOUSES are not just customers but our true partners. Their success is our success. For the first 40 years of activity, NIVA GREENHOUSES have obtained extensive
knowledge and experience in the field of agrotechnical support of projects all over the world. This know-how is reflected in innumerable projects for growing of various types of vegetables,
flowers, herbs, strawberry and greens, and in the field of marine culture, taking into account any climate patterns and weather conditions.
The framework of traditional knowledge is tight for modern agriculture with its clearly defined task to get maximum top-quality yield. Apart from the supply of proper product adapted to the
crops and climate, project success also depends on professional agrotechnical support based on state-of-the-art technologies.
NIVA GREENHOUSES is currently one of the world's leading greenhouse companies.
Every project, regardless of the country of implementation, is carefully considered on an individual basis. We study local specificities, develop project and project plan, consult with
agronomists, study growing conditions, construct and design additional units and systems, including electric power, water and heat supply, trellis fixing, fertilizers and climate control.
Regardless of complexity of the project, the result is a carefully thought-out comprehensive solution.
In accordance with its quality policy, our company supplies high-quality products intended for long-term operation in extreme conditions.
HIGH TUNNELS, MACRO TUNNELS
The structure is made of special steel flat oval pipes 60x50, hot-dip galvanized inside and outside with a choice of steel thickness in three options.
The tunnel is designed using screw piles screwing into the ground. The pile legs are available in different lengths of 1.8 m, 2 m, 2.5 m or 3 m. The legs are screwed into the ground to a depth of 700 mm to 1000 mm, depending on the chosen design option.
Tunnel fastening systems are unique, first developed and fully tested in our own factory. The mount is designed to provide the best protection against wind and adverse weather conditions, combining ease of installation and low cost.
It is possible to use a drainage system made of galvanized steel or dense polyethylene.
Simple curtain doors, manual roller doors or electric roller doors are available.
The greenhouse is used by growers to grow strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, flowers, salads, vegetables, ornamental plants and seedlings.
Key features of tunnels:
width from 6 m to 9 m;
following the natural contour of the earth - there is no dependence on elevation differences;
easy access for tractors
(up to 4.5m.);
any length of the tunnel;
galvanized steel gutters, electric roller doors, automated electric ventilated roof are available according to customer requirements.
What a gardener should know in addition!
Whenever possible, before installing tunnels, we analyze future plantations
The width of the aisles, the heights of the tunnels are set according to the needs of the client, due to the soil conditions and the amount of stones in the soil, different leg lengths are used
We supply everything you need for the installation of film tunnels: instructions for installing and managing the tunnel, pipes, strings, clamps, clamps, brackets, gates, film
Agricultural councils
Growing tomatoes in COCOPEAT coir mats
We bring to your notice the coir mats for tomato growing: width 18 cm, length 100 cm. The mats are intended to grow tomatoes in V-system, with 4 plants per mat.
- organic matter
- very strong structure
- high water-air ratio
- easy plant establishment
- high heat capacity
- no pathogenic agents and weed seeds
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high and constant yield
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high quality of vegetables (filling and color)
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rapid growth due to perfect conditions for root development
- first vegetables one week earlier as compared to the other substrates
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easy mat disposal
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easy to prepare the planting area (very accurate adjustment of mats is not necessary)
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reuse of coir as a component of other substrates
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growing tomatoes in cocopeat is similar to growing in mineral wool. However there are some differences that are worth attention
One day before planting, the mats should be impregnated with starter solution. Nutrient concentration of the starter solution is calculated after analysis of chemical composition of the water used by the farm. рН value of coir is 6.5. At the beginning of growing, the required рН level (5.5-6.0) is achieved by adding acid in nutrient solution in the amount depending on the chemical composition of water. At the time of transplanting, minimum ЕС in mat should be about 1.8 mS/cm. Smaller seedlings are placed near the holes until the first blossoms appear on 50% of plants. Cubes with larger plants may be immediately placed on the coir mat.
ЕС and рН of the solution coming out of the mat should be measured at least 2-3 times a week, and every day for nutrient solution. ЕС of drainage should be kept within 3.5 – 5.0, рН – within 5.5 - 6.3. ЕС of growing medium initially should be within 2-2.5 mS/cm, and later, with more frequent irrigation, should decrease to 1.8-2 mS/cm. Phosphoric acid is used to maintain the required level. Drainage is kept at 20-30%. Sufficient watering in winter is 3-5 times a day, in summer – 12. Coir provides plants with a small amount of СО2. It is advisable to provide more carbon dioxide in greenhouses. To ensure optimum conditions for growing tomatoes, it is recommended to maintain carbon dioxide concentration of 500-1000 ррm.
Watering. Doses and irrigation frequency depend largely on weather conditions (ranging from 5 to 35 doses per day). At the beginning of growing, in June and in February, every dose should provide the plant with about 100-120 ml of nutrient solution. In fruiting time, the doses may be increased up to 200 ml with less frequent irrigation. At the beginning of the year, the first irrigations should start at about 10.00 am, in summer - at about 8.30 am. Irrigations generally end around 05.00 pm. In cloudy and rainy days, watering of plants should end at 01-02 pm. In sunny days, nutrient solution is fed until 06.00 pm. It is important to maintain the required humidity level in a greenhouse. If irrigation starts at 10.00 am, then drainage should start at noon. Recommended drainage is 10-30%, depending on the weather conditions. To improve thermal environment for roots, it is recommended to lay the mats on plastic foam. Coir is characterized by good capillary properties, so it is necessary to remove the solution that flows out of the mats. A good way to monitor the amount of growing medium contained in the mats is Weighing.
Growing cucumbers in COCOPEAT coir mats
- organic matter
- strong structure that ensures high water-air ratio and easy plant establishment
- good heat capacity
- low salination
- free from pathogenic agents and weed seeds
Benefit from growing cucumbers in coir:
-
High and stable yield
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Very high quality of vegetables
- Rapid growth due to perfect conditions for root development, first vegetables one week earlier as compared to any other substrate
-
Easy mat disposal
-
Easy to prepare the planting area (very accurate adjustment of mats is not necessary)
-
Reuse of coir as a component of other substrates. Growing cucumbers in coir mats is similar to growing in mineral wool. However there are some differences that are worth attention.
What is average cost of a greenhouse?
We cannot clearly answer how much 1 square meter of greenhouse will cost until the customer provides its Terms of reference. In order to provide a qualified commercial offer complying with an assigned task, we should clarify its parameters. This is necessary to select optimal configuration of the greenhouse compartments, consistently arrange its units with respect to existing utility lines, access roads, buildings and structures, select irrigation and feed systems, heating, supplementary lighting, etc.
For example, covering of winter greenhouses may be made of double light-stabilized polyethylene, polycarbonate, glass. Standard greenhouses feature one-way tape ventilation occupying 35% of total roof area, however another ventilation occupying 40 or 50% of the area may be used. An average cost of projects ranges from 850 ths. to 1.2 mln. euro per 1 ha depending on multiple factors. The amount of required investments is determined by configuration and complexity of process equipment, cost of materials for greenhouse covering, number of climatic zones and capabilities of climate control system, heating system capacity, design costs and construction and installation works.
Therefore, the following data is required for the complex design:
1. Availability of appropriate infrastructure for greenhouse construction: buildings and structures, access ways, existing utilities (water chemical composition and flow, availability of electric power and gas, permissible limits are of great importance).
2. Your marketing opportunities for specific products – determinate a set of crops.
3. General plot plan with its structures and utility networks – to define optimum area and mutual arrangement of greenhouses (pavilions).
4. Designed vegetable growing method, production intensity – allow to select appropriate process equipment.
5. Climatic zone – minimum and maximum temperatures, strength and direction of prevailing winds, total solar radiation throughout the growing season.
Based on this data and, probably, Your personal interview, we would give our expert evaluation of applicability of a certain technology in local conditions, its implementation costs. We will also submit our commercial proposal for the selected type of greenhouses.
What are the main types of greenhouses offered by Niva Greenhouses?
Niva Greenhouses is a primary dealer of many European greenhouse manufacturers and offers a complete range of structures produced by a company plant.
- Multiple-row greenhouses with plastic covering (РЕ, РС)
- Glass multiple-row greenhouses Venlo
- Tunnels
- Bi-tunnels
