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DRYLANDS FARMS
Key Benefits
Maximum Yield with minimum risk
While our farms are capital intensive to build (€200-€450/m2), they also produce up to 30x more yield per square meter compared to open field farming, and up to 6x as compared to ‘tunnels’ (and like open field, tunnels do not produce much at all when conditions are unfavourable). In addition, by controlling the growing environment (and, in our case, also the water and energy supplies) we remove much of the risk from the growing process: our farms will grow crops reliably and consistently, largely unaffected by outside factors.
Minimum water use
Dutch-style glasshouses use up to 95% less water than other farming methods, by ensuring that water with the exact nutrient mix required is delivered to each plant, and by reusing all runoff water. Close to 100% of water delivered to the plant is used by the plant itself, whether for transpiration or assimilation. This is in contrast with other farming methods, whereby most of the irrigation water evaporates from the soil before it even reaches the plant.
Top quality fresh produce
A good yield is critical, but producing fruits and vegetables that taste great is equally important, and by controlling the growing environment, and selecting the best varietals for each location, we will ensure that our fruits and vegetables have maximum flavour, perfect presentation, and a very long shelf life – ensuring minimum food waste and maximum value for the consumer.
Making use of marginal land
Pressures on land are a big issue across the world but in Africa in particular, and often holds a cultural significance so that people must own some land (which is one of the reasons behind the ever shrinking plot sizes of smallholder farmers). Drylands Farms do not require any soil, and can be built on land that is not suitable for agriculture or another productive use, as long as climate conditions are good. This way, we can site our farms closer to the market and utilise land that is not very valuable otherwise.
“Local for local”
While some of our produce may be exported within the region, our focus is to produce for the local market, thereby strengthening local supply chains, reducing food miles, and delivering fresh produce to our customers within 24h of harvesting.
Local job creation
While our farms are highly efficient and very compact they are also labour intensive, requiring 20-30 full time workers per hectare year-round for plant care and harvesting. We view this as a net positive, enabling us to create a substantial number of well-paying and consistent local jobs.
TECHNOLOGY
In order to provide a continuous supply of abundant, affordable, high quality food crops in a way that is least affected by climate change and fits within a pattern of increasing urbanisation, we need to look to technological solutions:
Modern Dutch glasshouses
Modern glass greenhouses are designed to offer maximum control over growing conditions: glass has the highest light transmissivity and can be easily cleaned, ensuring most light into the farm, while height is maximised (up to 12m) to provide a large body of air as a ‘climate buffer’ to minimise sudden changes in growing conditions.
Glass has several benefits over plastics: it lasts substantially longer, reducing overall cost, as well as minimising pests: each time a plastic greenhouse is uncovered in order to replace its canopy, pests and diseases have an opportunity to get inside and affect subsequent crops for a long time. Finally, the stronger structure of a glasshouse allows for higher plant density on the growing systems, thereby further increasing yields per square metre.
On-site water treatment & recirculation
Water resource management is a key issue of our time, exacerbated by climate change and population growth. Our aim is to a) minimise water use by use of hydroponics and advanced recirculation systems, and b) use abundant water sources, such as the ocean, estuaries, and saline groundwater sources, which are not directly used for human consumption and are sustainable for long-term usage with our on-site treatment systems.
This is yet another way to ensure that our farms are independent of the environment and unaffected by climate change: even when a drought occurs and groundwater aquifers are not sufficiently replenished, our water resources will continue to be abundant.
Hydroponics
Hydroponic growing systems enable maximum control of nutrients, and minimise wastage: all supplements that are added to the stream eventually end up in the plant as all runoff water is recirculated and re-treated and fed back to the plants: close to 100% of water provided will be utilised by the plant.
Sensors & computing
Light, temperature, humidity, plant weight and plant growth sensors will be installed and connected to our climate computer. This is the very heart of our operations which will optimise climate, fertigation and irrigation. It’s an invaluable tool for the farm manager and it will allow our head grower to monitor and optimise operations remotely, in real time.
Climate control
Hydroponic growing systems enable maximum control of nutrients, and minimise wastage: all supplements that are added to the stream eventually end up in the plant as all runoff water is recirculated and re-treated and fed back to the plants: close to 100% of water provided will be utilised by the plant.
Renewable energy
Light, temperature, humidity, plant weight and plant growth sensors will be installed and connected to our climate computer. This is the very heart of our operations which will optimise climate, fertigation and irrigation. It’s an invaluable tool for the farm manager and it will allow our head grower to monitor and optimise operations remotely, in real time.
On-site packing and cold storage
Our clients demand top quality and shelf life, as well as consistent and predictable supply. Therefore we will package all produce on site (in biodegradable materials of course) and store in optimal conditions until delivery to our clients. Having on-site packaging and ‘high care’ capabilities (e.g. mixed salad packs) further increases our opportunities for (co-)branding and helps differentiate our offering with end-consumers.