Innovative new crop growing system debuts in Middle East

A revolutionary growing system is being launched to Middle Eastern markets at this year’s IPM Dubai exhibition (3-5 March 2009). VertiCrop High Density Vertical Growing System (HDVGS) is a plant growing unit designed to overcome the increasing demands on agriculture and horticulture throughout the world. As it uses considerably less water than conventional agriculture, it is ideally suited to the climatic growing conditions of the Middle East.

VertiCrop was launched in the UK last July at the Royal Show in Warwickshire and Valcent Products (EU) Ltd www.valcent.eu is now rolling out the system to global markets. The growing unit, which can be installed virtually anywhere, cultivates plants in vertically hung trays which rotate on an overhead closed loop conveyor allowing crops to gain equal exposure to light, water and nutrients. A demonstration model is available to view on Stand 27, Row D08 in the British National Pavilion.

VertiCrop offers a cost effective solution for crop production with significant operating and capital cost savings over field agriculture. It also increases returns by using only a fraction of the resources required for traditional agriculture. In trials the unit increased some crop yields by up to 20 times the normal production volume and only required 5% of the average water used in conventional growing conditions.

There are also geographical benefits as VertiCrop can be installed in virtually any location and therefore adjacent to local communities and markets. Tailor made to growers’ specific requirements it enables producers to grow a variety of salad crops, vegetables or flowers in a controlled eco-friendly environment, eliminating the need for herbicides and with efficient management can all but reduce the need for pesticides. VertiCrop can provide a secure and profitable growing solution to cultivating high quality, nutritious produce by reducing both food miles and distribution costs and ensuring a fresh food supply that is close to consumer markets.

This is the first time Valcent (EU) has exhibited at IPM Dubai and follows the success of the company exhibiting at IPM Essen in Germany earlier this year. Valcent (EU) specialises in growing solutions and plant based consumer products and is a leader in the development of innovative and practical eco-technologies.

The first full commercial system will be installed in the UK by May 2009 at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park to provide a working installation for both commercial and demonstration purposes. The unit will grow a variety of vegetables to address the specific dietary needs of many of the resident species at the Zoo. The unit will be a feature at the 9th International Conference on Environmental Enrichment (ICEE9); an event attended by environmental specialists from around the world. A test unit has also just been installed in Valcent (EU) Products’ global operation centre in Cornwall, UK. For further information contact Valcent Products (EU) Ltd. Web: www.valcent.eu Tel: +44 (0)1566 778844.

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For further information about VertiCrop and to view a working model of the innovative new growing system contact: Mr Tom Bentley mobile +44 (0)7860 285492 email: tbentley@valcent.eu on Stand 27, Row D08 in the British National Pavilion.

This document and two photographs suitable for publication are stored digitally on the attached CD Rom inside the front cover of the brochure.

Photo ref: DSC00334 Photo caption: Plants growing in an installation of VertiCrop HDVGS.
Photo ref: DSC00325 Photo caption: Plants growing in an installation of VertiCrop HDVGS.

Further media enquiries to Carolyn Daw at the Marketing-PR Company on +44 (0)1566 771860 or email cdaw@marketing-pr.co.uk.

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