HYDROPONIC SOLUTIONS

SMART FARMING

C ontrolled Environment Agriculture is the process of growing plants inside a greenhouse or grow room. The controlled environment allows the grower to maintain the proper light, carbon dioxide, temperature, humidity, water, pH levels and nutrients to produce crops year-round. Smart monitoring tools and software also help to maintain optimal growth conditions inside the container, 365 days a year.

DEVELOPMENT AND ASSELBLY:

HYDROPONIC FARMING:

H ydroponics in farming using mineral nutrient solutions to replace soil is another farming method which aims to minimise inputs whilst maximising yields. This method saves on land use (which again favours suburban environments), eliminates the restrictions of seasonality, and is estimated to use only 10% of the water required for traditional farming. And because this system is essentially modular, hydroponics can be scaled to suit the size of various farm locations.

ADVANTAGES OF A HYDROPONIC GROW SYSTEM:

Whatever you grow will be healthier, grow faster and have a higher yield.

Nutrient levels are easily monitored and maintained, ensuring maximum growth and no burning of plants.

No worrying about soil conditions or soil depletion.

No more tilling, mulching, composting, weeding, raking, digging or watering!

Because water is not sprayed through the air, there is much less evaporation.

Most pests are prevented from reaching your plants.

Pesticide use is dramatically reduced or eliminated completely.

You can grow anywhere – in your Eco-Tunnel, under shade-cloth, even indoors.

Completely sustainable cultivation: you can grow again and again in the same area for as long as you wish.

Space-saving: one square metre can produce greens for a family of four.

No waste products are produced by the system at all.

Less trips to the shop for commercially grown supermarket veggies means less petrol used and less packaging thrown away, effectively reducing your carbon footprint.

You can now avoid the industrially applied pesticides, preservatives and artificial ripening agents, irradiated produce and GMO’s.

No more sandy lettuce or spinach ever again!

HYDROPONIC FARM DEVELOPMENT: TUNNEL FARMING

PHASE 1: Preparation of Tunnel for Hydroponic System

A Hydroponic Tunnel is a highly engineered, modular and mobile vertical production environment custom-built for a wide variety of Hydroponic crops. Our tunnels are comfortably capable of producing the most impressive of yields, all year round. With the help of an eco-tunnel you can keep your hydroponic system in a controlled environment to get the best yields all year round. Our vertical farming solution is designed to provide you with the capacity to cultivate 12 960 plants per tunnel. We provide 10-meter-wide, 30-meter-long stainless-steel tunnels. The maximum height of our tunnels is 4 meters. The 409 stainless steel tunnel’s welding is done with mild steel rods painted with anti-corrosion paint. Our tunnel walls are covered with 200-micron LONG LIFE Greenhouse Plastic with 3-year warranty against factory defects.

PHASE 2: Preparation of Tunnel for Hydroponic System

This is the installation of the Hydroponic growing system within a tunnel growing system. A growing tray is considered the physical unit that will house the plants and growing mediums, provide a structure for nutrient solution to flow through, variable leg components. Hydroponic trays are popular because of their ease of use, unique design, efficiency and versatility. Trays are custom made available in different sizes to accommodate all types of hydroponic growing.

PHASE 3: Irrigation System Installation

Hydroponic growing systems grow plants without the use of soil. The substitute for soil is de-ionized water, from reverse osmosis or distillation, with nutrients matched to the needs of plants, to create the nutrient solution necessary. Hydroponic farming utilizes growth medium other than soil and delivers nutrient rich water directly to the plants. Hydroponic farming has seen steady growth and is fast becoming the preferred choice for growing in a controlled environment. The nature of hydroponics allows it to be stacked for maximum yield in minimum space.

PHASE 4: Germination of seeds and transfer to grow trays

When hydroponic seedlings are germinated, they need a lot of moisture in order to sprout. Seeds also need warmth (around 70 degrees or more) and bright light to thrive. To get started, it’s recommended to use grow mediums specially designed for seed germination. Rockwool cubes are good for this.

PHASE 5: Harvesting

Crops can be produced twice as fast in a well-managed hydroponic system. Depending on the used hydroponic system, up to fourfold in harvest yield can be achieved, compared to conventional soil cultivation. This means up to 12 Harvest cycles per year.

PHASE 6: Marketing/Farm to Table

LFP Agri will collaborate with Third-Party Service providers and major Retailers, who will in-turn create markets for the beneficiaries including linking them up with off-takers and consumers and negotiate favorable contracts.

HYDROPONIC FARM DEVELOPMENT: CONTAINER FARMING

PHASE 1: Preparation of Container for Hydroponic System

A shipping container is a highly engineered, modular and mobile vertical production environment custom-built for a wide variety of crops. The use of a modified shipping container ensures optimum conditions for produce to thrive. Container farming allows quicker turnaround times with no soil preparation. 85 % less water used compared to conventional farming. Soil borne diseases are eliminated or reduced. Large yields in small areas. Controlled environment. Reduced use of chemicals. Automated irrigation.

PHASE 2: Installation of Growing Trays

This is the installation of the Hydroponic growing system within a containerized growing system. A growing tray is considered the physical unit that will house the plants and growing mediums, provide a structure for nutrient solution to flow through, variable leg components, and centralizes nutrient flow and contoured lids allow excess water to run off. Simple construction provides maximum aeration to the roots.

PHASE 3: Installation of Lighting System

Custom built, high-efficiency, LED grow lights mimics sunlight and delivers the optimal wavelengths for maximum plant growth. There are three main types of lighting that hydroponic gardeners use to grow their plants. These are Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL); High Intensity Discharge (HID), which includes both High Pressure Sodium (HPS) and Metal Halide (MH) bulbs; and Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights.

PHASE 4: Irrigation System Installation

Hydroponic growing systems grow plants without the use of soil. The substitute for soil is de-ionized water, from reverse osmosis or distillation, with nutrients matched to the needs of plants, to create the nutrient solution necessary.

PHASE 5: Germination of seeds and transfer to grow trays

When hydroponic seedlings are germinated, they need a lot of moisture in order to sprout. Seeds also need warmth (around 70 degrees or more) and bright light to thrive. To get started, it’s recommended to use grow mediums specially designed for seed germination. Rockwool cubes are good for this.

PHASE 6: Harvesting

Crops can be produced twice as fast in a well-managed hydroponic system. Depending on the used hydroponic system, up to fourfold in harvest yield can be achieved, compared to conventional soil cultivation.

PHASE 7: Marketing/Farm to Table

LFP Agri will collaborate with Third-Party Service providers and major Retailers, who will in-turn create markets for the beneficiaries including linking them up with off-takers and consumers. .