Project Report
| Jun 2, 2024
Steady progress towards fresh veggies
By Jake Kheel | Vice President
Example Nutrient Film Technique System (NFT)
After considerable research and different proposals, the Grupo Puntacana Foundation agronomy team has selected a Nutrient Film Technique System (NFT) for its hydroponic greenhouse. The nutrient film technique, NFT for short, is a hydroponic technique in which the plants stand in a shallow stream of water containing all the dissolved nutrients necessary for plant growth. This water flow is circulated through growth tanks containing the roots of the plants. The plants absorb the nutrients through the roots, and because the stream is shallow and the roots are also suspended in the air, the roots can also absorb oxygen.
We are thrilled to have received sufficient donations to place an order of an NFT system from MSC Invernaderos. The materials are currently in production and will be shipped to Punta Cana in the next few months. We hope to begin production of lettuce before the end of 2024!
Hydroplanner.com diagram of an NFT System
Feb 12, 2024
Our Greenhouse has been built!
By Susanne Leib | Project Manager
The Gothic-style greenhouse from the MSC Greenhouses Company arrived at the beginning of November 2023 and has been successfully installed. The greenhouse has an additional shading cover system, installed 2 meters below the dome structure. The shade cover can be rolled out manually and will offer additional shade and temperature control in the greenhouse when required.
This feature will be handy during the summer months (July-November), when high temperatures and little wind affect the production of more temperature-sensitive green-leaf edible plants, like arugula and lettuce. The installed fan will ensure regular air circulation. Eventually, a water misting system will be incorporated to aid the cooling process and ensure proper humidity inside the greenhouse.
Currently, we are reviewing different hydroponic systems with local companies and a local agricultural engineer with vast experience in hydroponic production and greenhouse management. Successfully growing green leafy vegetables year-round in hot climate conditions will depend on the temperature and oxygen levels of the fertilized water used as culture media in hydroponic systems. A possible 6-month consultation will be discussed to ensure the production team's proper start-up and capacitation in all aspects of the hydroponic production process.
We are thrilled to be one step closer increase the production of our own vegetables!
Oct 12, 2023
Installation plans for our Greenhouse
By Susanne Leib | Project Manager
The new hydroponic production program will showcase an innovative and highly efficient hydroponic agricultural system suited to produce fresh vegetables in the tropical hot climate of the Punta Cana region. Over 2 months ago we purchased a 200-square-meter Gothic Style greenhouse from the MSC Greenhouses Company based in Pamplona Spain.
MSC Greenhouses is a company with over 30 years of experience in the production and installation of metal frame greenhouses adaptable to local needs and climates. The greenhouse is equipped with a ventilation fan on each side of the rectangular structure, a sliding door on one of the long sides of the structure, and an overlapping curved roof with a longitudinal window for additional hot air ventilation that can be closed with a flap system depending on requirements.
Conditioning of the terrain where the greenhouse will be located has started. The ground will be sloped with a 1-degree angle on the long side to ensure proper drainage of the plastic roofing. The floor of the greenhouse will be the natural dirt ground with a geomembrane lining covering the walkways between the isles. Our new green house will arrive on the 21st of October.