The CAN-Agri farm in South Africa operates a 33 000+ sq. ft. facility which serves as a commercial research and development hub. Here we obtain crucial data, optimize processes and research new products and techniques. We also provide access to this site for customer training.
The first step in the production cycle is to grow seedlings. Seedings are grown in growth medium in bio-degradable baskets in seedling trays. The baskets keep seedlings in position when transplanted into the grow tubes.
Three to four weeks after germination the seedlings are ready to be transplanted into grow tubes in the greenhouse.
Currently, we have eight greenhouses where grow towers are strategically spaced in rows to allow for maximum sunlight. Purified, oxygenated, nutrient-rich water is fed through the top of the grow tubes, it then gravitates down through the tubes flowing over the roots of the plants.
Water flows back to the Pump Room where it is conditioned and recycled in a continuous closed-loop system.
After germination seedlings are transplanted into the grow towers in the greenhouse. A single grow tower holds 80 plants, and they are spaced for optimal exposure to sunlight. Purified, oxygenated, nutrient-rich water is fed through the top of the grow tubes, it gravitates down to flow over the roots of all the plants. Water then flows back to the pump room where it is conditioned and recycled in a continuous closed-loop system.
Several grow towers are strategically spaced forming rows. These spaces allow sunlight to penetrate down to ground level, illuminating all the plants. The contained greenhouse environment generates an atmosphere that can be controlled at all times, permitting a shorter fresh produce growth cycle, improved production quality and quantity year-round with consistent daily harvests. Rows are harvested daily, opening up space for new seedlings to be planted, forming a continuous daily production cycle.
Water cycles from the plants in the grow tubes in the greenhouse, back to the catchment tanks in the Pump Room.
The water is conditioned with nutrients, temperature- and pathogen controlled in a closed-loop system in the greenhouse and pump room.
All variables in the greenhouse are controlled e.g. Temperature, Humidity, UV, Ventilation. Control systems are integrated and programable via direct or web-based access.
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
French
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish