India: New operations manager for Biogrow Protec

With the development of Biogrow Protec, in Bangalore, Karnataka, came the need for a manager to oversee operations at the training center, and steer the new venture on the right path. The position attracted an experienced grower, Sara Nour from Darwin, Australia.

Sara has extensive professional experience in providing technical & agronomic support for hydroponic berries, hydroponic vegetables, commercial sandalwood, and tropical fruit horticulture, working for global agribusinesses and government research. Her previous roles included Agronomist for Southern Australia for Driscolls Berries, where she collaborated with colleagues in the US, Europe, South America, and China, and attended specialized hydroponic growing training in the US.

She has also worked in Integrated Pest and Disease Management for Flavorite Tomatoes, then Australia's largest hydroponic vegetable glasshouse, for Chisholm Glasshouse, De Ruiters' Australian showcase, as Senior Research Horticulturist for the Northern Australian government, and as Research and Development Manager for Santanol Sandalwood.

Sara elaborates on her background in agriculture, and what led her to become the newest member of the Biogrow team:

"India has a rich history of agricultural innovation, and the Biogrow-Protec training facility and innovation center is an opportunity to continue that evolution, as we support farmers to transition from conventional farming to soilless cultivation using quality coir. Within the soilless farming space, there is a wealth of agri-tech and new growing systems and methods, and our job is to deliver the best of that knowledge to our clients. There are many possibilities to increase yield, quality, and sustainability using hydroponic farming. I am excited to join Biogrow India; the team is full of excellent technical knowledge and experience, and we have a real opportunity to apply the best of the team's global knowledge to a local Indian context. I am looking forward to meeting more local farmers across the country, talking with them to understand their challenges, and working to ensure they have the training and technical support they need to succeed".

Biogrow is hosting training sessions for growers using soilless substrates, offering technical advice to clients, and supervising the cultivation of premium tomatoes and bell peppers for the Indian market.