“While the initial investment may be considerable, the benefits of greenhouses make them indispensable”

Cultivating in the conditions of Guatemala presents significant challenges, especially in the central zone of the capital, where temperature fluctuations, rain, and humidity can negatively affect traditional crops. At Veggiwell, they have managed to overcome these limitations by implementing greenhouses with innovative technology.

Remember the growth of Guatemalan greenhouse company Veggiwell? Earlier this year, Aaron shared more about how the company expanded its markets. Now, he shares more on the techniques behind their facilities.

© Les Industries Harnois Inc.

NFT
Veggiwell decided to implement the NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system on their farm. "This is due to its numerous technical and economic advantages, which are backed by recent studies. This method allows us to achieve superior growth and yield in lettuce production, achieving efficiency between 6% and 10% higher compared to other hydroponic systems, such as floating raft or DFT", says Aaron. "The NFT system optimizes resource use thanks to its low water consumption and highly efficient nutrition ensured by the constant circulation of the nutrient solution. Additionally, it offers precise control of key factors such as pH and electrical conductivity, creating ideal conditions for plant development. Its compact and scalable design makes it adaptable to different production needs, which represents a significant advantage."

Another noteworthy point is that this system promotes sustainability by reducing environmental impact through water reuse and minimizing common phytosanitary problems in traditional soil-grown crops. "In the long term, the NFT system will allow us to maintain a constant production of fresh, high-quality lettuce throughout the year, with lower operating costs, making it a profitable solution perfectly aligned with current market demands."© Les Industries Harnois Inc.

Efficient production process
At Veggiwell, the growers have integrated cutting-edge technology to address climate challenges and make our production process more efficient. "We use the Priva system, which allows us to automatically control the fans, curtains, inflatable roofs, ridge vents, misting system, and heaters, according to varying weather conditions."

"Thanks to this technology, we can create an ideal environment within our greenhouses, allowing us to grow high-quality lettuce all year round, regardless of the season. This not only guarantees the freshness and quality of our products but also optimizes energy use, ensuring a more sustainable and consistent production."

© Veggiwell

Operating two greenhouses
Currently, Veggiwell operates two Harnois Model Luminosa greenhouses. "These allow us to achieve the highest yield with minimal resource use. Conducting our production in these greenhouses is a key strategy to maximize our agricultural output, leveraging a controlled environment in which we optimize our resources and ensure high-quality products. This helps us reduce costs and minimize environmental impact."

© Les Industries Harnois Inc.

"Moreover, the Harnois greenhouses enable us to produce year-round, regardless of external weather conditions, and protect our crops from pests, diseases, and adverse phenomena such as hail or extreme temperatures in Guatemala. This results in higher quality harvests, with greater uniformity and excellent presentation, even out of season, making us a strategic supplier for our customers", Aaron continues. "Another advantage of our Harnois greenhouses is that they are ideal for implementing new agricultural technologies, and they also improve the working conditions of our employees by providing a protected environment for their tasks. While the initial investment may be considerable, the benefits in sustainability, productivity, and profitability make them an indispensable tool for modern agriculture."

He adds the support of Corenthin (Felix) Chassouant from Harnois was a real added value. "We knew that we were buying quality products from Canada made to perform, in fact, his dedicated support and extensive knowledge are highly beneficial for our improvement."