Do Coco Peat Prices Vary During A Year?

Coco Peat as we all know is becoming an important ingredient in farming especially in countries which face the problem of water scarcity. Though mainly it is used to store water, but these days it is used in place of inorganic fertilizers as it is organic example of the same. Since it also helps in holding the soil together, the use of coco peat is increasing with every passing day and its cheap price in the market makes it optimal for use even in the places where it is not mandatory to use.

Though the coco peat is of great beneficial use, it also has some problems associated, just like every other thing that we require in our day to day life. Some of them are:

• Coco peat is not available in each and every part of the globe.
• Though produced from coir hair, it needs to be treated in industry.
• There is fluctuation in the price of coco peat.

Though the first two problems can be solved, but the last one is something that is uncontrollable even with the recent advancement. The price of coco peat goes down in the summers and goes up the hill during the rainy season. This is mainly because of the low productivity that is seen in the market during the monsoon. There is instability in the prices of coco peat throughout the twelve months and certainly this has become important factor overtime for the farmers being dis courage to use it.

There were a lot of efforts made in the concerned field and certainly Boyce has taken it to the next level. Boyce has somehow managed to control the prices though not totally but up to a great extent and it has certainly being benefiting everyone associated with this product. Boyce has strategically developed some of the small initiatives that have helped in the process. During the summers, when the price is reasonably low, Boyce buys the product in excess of the requirement and stores them for the future use. They store it and use them during the monsoon when the prices are high, at an affordable price which not only helps the firm itself but the farmers associated, the workers in the firm as they aren’t unemployed during this time when most of the companies of the related field don’t earn enough to pay the wages. Boyce has not only maintained the end product but the raw material and the whole of supply chain. They have sources coco husk from the local farmers in the southern India from whom they can buy and store it at the time of need.

Though this step may be seen as only way to increase the selling products of the company, but one forgets that the farmers are the ones who are benefited abundantly with this. Storing coco peat safely is a costly affair and certainly it’s not possible for the farmers to afford it and Boyce has certainly came to the rescue.

Flower Growers. Are You Listening?

With our peat bogs in fast decline because of drainage for agriculture, forestry and the commercial extraction of peat, mainly for the horticultural industry. If we continue in this manner it will have a devastating effect in more ways than one. Peat bogs in many ways are good for the environment, as long as they are left alone. They provide areas of great natural beauty, they are rich in wild plants, insects and animals, but still gardeners are using this product.

Environmentalists have been preaching about the need for gardeners to use alternative materials, but despite this sales are still strong. Around 90% of Britain’s peat lands have been destroyed, but peat mining is still on going. 

Peat bogs are rich in the diversity of plants and wildlife. They are home to thousands of insects including butterflies, dragonflies and spiders. Birdlife is abundant, as well as mosses, fungi and lichens. Peat bogs are also rich in social and biological history.  They contain irreplaceable materials dating back to the ice age. Many historical objects are preserved in ancient peat bogs.

Peat was originally used for centuries as a fuel, but now gardeners get through huge amounts. By the end of 2015 the use of peat in public parks should have been phased out in the UK. By 2020 in your own gardens and by 2030 from commercial plant growing. But listen flower growers.  

There are extremely good alternatives. 

Home made compost – a great soil improver, and reduces your garden and household waste.

Coir (coco peat) – this is the most popular alternative to peat when used as a growing media.  A by-product of the coconut industry.

Leaf Mould – a very environmentally friendly material. After two years leaf mould can be sieved and used as a great substitute.

Manure – well rotted horse, chicken and cow manure are particularly good.

Bark chippings – these can make an effective mulch.

Flower growers.  Are you listening?

The clock is ticking….

CHRISTOPHER HUNT
BOYCE AGRO
UK

Growing Plants - Truly Exciting Experience

Ok, so my first attempt at growing plants in coco peat was not a great success. But at least I managed to get some colorful flowers. But to be honest I didn’t read the instructions on the pack. Whoever does read instructions? It’s like when you purchase a piece of flat pack furniture from your local Ikea or other budget store. 

You lay out all the individual pieces on the floor, discard the large empty box, rip apart the plastic bag full of nuts and bolts, screws and panel pins along with the standard allen key, and away you go. Instructions are left to one side whilst you attach piece A to piece B. Three hours later. There it is, the completed  sideboard. Three screws and four metal brackets left on the floor. You have a door that doesn’t close correctly and a slightly chipped surface where you had to dismantle it because you forgot to put the internal shelf in. So back to my planter. Yes I did follow the instructions up to a point where I had to feed the plants. I placed the coco peat into the container, scattered the seed on top and covered with a thin covering of coco peat. Watered with a spray bottle, then put into a warm dark space. It must have been several weeks later I witnessed signs of growth. The seedlings looked weak, but I still persevered. I had to move them from the dark and into the light. 

The container was in the garden but due to the typical English weather we were still experiencing frosts in May. So the container was moved indoors. After several days with no growth activity realized I should have fed my plants. I went and bought some baby bio fertilizer. Again without measuring I just tipped several drops straight into the container, followed by a splash of water. Hey presto! Within two days the plants shot up, so high that they couldn’t stand upright. I immediately thought they were dying, so poured more water in, then some more feed. I tried moving the container back into the warmth, hoping that the heat would help. But the plants were not responding to any specialist care. 

Buds did finally appear, and within days I had flowers, but as for healthy stems, unfortunately not. But this will not put me off. Once the blooms have finally faded I will reuse the coco peat and try again. 

In an effort to stop using our peat from a diminishing source we should all try using alternative materials such as coco peat which is a waste product from the coconut.  A truly natural product. 

CHRISTOPHER HUNT

BOYCE AGRO

UK

Find Out How You Can Use This Eco-Friendly Product And Promote Water Conservation

Coco Peat though made from the husk of coconut after machining and being processed retains its pure 100% organic origin. It helps in saving water, acts as an organic fertilizer (without actually being one), binds the soil together and also helps you to increase the average yield of the crops. Coco peat also helps in even distribution of nutrients, and is very sustainable as it can be reused over and over again for a long period of time. This particular product is known for its water conservation technique that makes it stand out among all other sustainable substitutes.

Here’s how coco peat helps in saving water:

• Low maintenance: Soil without coco peat require frequent showers for distribution of nutrients and even plant growth. When a large proportion of plants are being cultivated its important to water them regularly to prevent wilting and other side effects. When these plants growing on soil without coco peat are watered, the soil loses a lot of it through vaporization and other natural phenomenon. With the use of coco peat this frequent watering is not essential at all. Once watered it can hold it for 7 days which means at the end of the day you need less water for maintenance of plant yield.
• Seepage of water: Coco Peat has pores through which water seeps in and it is hence able to hold up to 7 times more water than normal soil. Thus using coco peat in areas which faces water scarcity and also the areas where the farmers rely on government aid or rainfall for irrigation purpose is a permanent remedy that promotes sustainable use of water. The soil can then provide water as per the need of the plants for a long duration without being watered frequently.
• Even distribution of water and minerals: Due to its great water retention capacity it can conduct mineral through soil and help in even distribution of nutrients in the soil. Water is necessary for plants to transport minerals and nutrients to different parts and as coco peat helps in even distribution of nutrients excess watering for such purposes can be avoided resulting in water conservation.
• Re-usability: Coco Peat unlike the various chemical products is re-usable. Thus farmers and flower growers can buy it once and can reuse it for the effective growth of the crop with the sustainable utilization of the nutrients and the water resources available.
• Soil binding ability: Coco Peat also binds the soil together and thus helps in reducing the dust particle percentage in air thus reducing air pollution. Binding the soil together also helps in conservation of water, as less water is lost through evaporation.

A study reveals that coco peat usage should be increased all over the world especially in developing countries. Also places like that of Africa which faces enormous scarcity of water should increase the use of coco peat in order to promote water conservation technique. Using coco peat also increases the overall yield of the crop. It also reduces the overall investment that the farmer makes and hence helps in maximizing his profit. This pure organic product is rapidly proving to be a sustainable alternative and trailblazer in water conservation techniques.

Managing Drought In The Ancient Times: Find Out Here How Our Forefathers Survived It

Life on earth exists because the earth has the very storehouse of water required for lives to exist. Around 75% of the earth’s surface is filled with water, although all of this percentage cannot be utilized. Everyone on this planet does not get this premier elixir in abundance in spite of it being not too costly. In fact water is often considered as a paradox because the most precious liquid is dirt cheap in most places. People who are located in regions of the continents where rivers flow, oceans are nearby, are often luckier than those who reside on the banks of sand dunes where water itself plays and becomes an illusion to trick the thirsty souls. Well, fortune takes a hand at times and ensures that people who are enriched with an abundant source of water comes face to face with dry spells.

A prolonged period of time without the blissful showers from heaven can make the life of people miserable. Drought has been a cunning guest of Mother Nature since eternity. Sometimes it lasted for a week or so and at times years or even decades. In ancient times droughts were common and people often considered it to be a curse or punishment from the messengers of heaven. They faced drought as if it was an ordinance to follow. Perhaps they kept their head low as they did not have much appendage to help their situation. The absence of precipitation for a considerable amount of time affects the ecosystem as well as the atmosphere. The droughts would eventually occur as a by-product of their indigenous practices like slash and burn cultivation, deforestation for shelter, food, etc. They were not equipped to outlast the effect of drought. The only form of living was agriculture and that occupation experienced a great setback during droughts. People who could sustain the drought survived while the rest died due to the sun-baked atmosphere without the seasoning of rain spatters. A few would consider removing themselves from the ‘cursed’ area and enter a new world by migrating.

The world remembers the severe and the consecutive effect of drought in the 1930s in the United States of America when people from the several counties of Rolla, Kansas moved to the west in search of occupation. Agriculture was the most affected sector contributing to the Great Depression when banks failed, unemployment soared and life became lifeless. Some tried to resist the drought with the hope of a miracle to happen, rain to usher, while others migrated to different areas. This showcases how people faced the severe consequences of drought without having the power to overcome them. They were forced to act as mere puppets in the hands of Nature. If they had anything that could make their agriculture go on at that time, it could have saved thousands of lives.

Today, we can create a difference. We, the successors of those worthy souls who had to die due to lack of their livelihood, can make a divergence. A miracle has born. A boon to overcome the effects of drought is here. The answer is coco peat. Nowadays, coco peat is endowed with brilliant soil conditioning properties. It acts like a sponge having water retention capabilities. It can hold moisture up to 7 times its volume. Not only that, it does help in strengthening the roots of the plants. It also maintains the pH level required to cultivate. Coconut husks can be shredded to huge chunks which can act as a splendid growing medium during dry spells. Growers of Kenya, Wisconsin, and Minnesota etc. hugely depend on this organic media for economizing even when chances to cultivate are insufficient. Coco Peat has been a pioneer in the agronomic industry in the last few decades, especially in drought prone and arid areas. We have reached the moon; we can no longer afford to bow down to natural calamities.

Looking Beyond Horticulture Will Be Key To Success For Coco Peat Manufacturers

Today horticultural industries consume or buys 80% of the coco peat manufactured in India and Sri Lanka, 90% of the manufacturers sell only to this industry. This makes the market very highly price sensitive, leaving quality manufacturers with minimum profit, therefore no room for expansion or investment. The secret is to identify new areas of application, new initiatives. This is the key if this market is to move forward. Adding value to the product in terms of quality, commitment, customization leaves buyer to look at other productive jobs. Boyce Agro works with manufacturers and helps find new areas for improved profits and improved consistent quality.

Animal bedding industry have better potential for coir pith exporters due to its softness and no harm characteristic helps the animals. It has better advantage of being ‘no harm’ material when pets eats them. Being exporter for reptile bedding industry, we identify huge potential for our nature product. There are various other applications that are upcoming with the use of coco peat and we constantly working on projects to explore coco peat endless benefits.

Handling any commodity in effective manner leaves you less expenses. We do improved ways of handling and palletising to reduce waste. Maintained machines to avoid costly breakdowns and better ways of measuring quality results. We committed to develop coco peat industry by means of delivering quality and value added service to customers globally.

This article is written and posted by Boyce Agro - A coco peat manufacturer and exporter from India and sri Lanka.

Are You Experiencing These Stunning Breakthroughs In Horticulture?

An ever expanding branch of science dealing with the science, technology and business of vegetable gardening,  plant growing, which includes the cultivation of medicinal plants, sprouts, fruits, vegetables, seaweeds, nuts, seeds, herbs, algae, flowers, mushrooms, and non-food crops like ornamental plants and grass. The development rate which is affecting every field hasn’t let the horticulture down, and with new practises horticulture is widening its scope. With recent advancement so as to use by-products in some other use, using conservation of water and better methodology for plant growth always adds to the good cause.

• A three year study which was carried out by G. Caruso, G. Villari, C. Borrelli, G. Russo on asparagus in South Italy with the purpose of verifying the possibility to practise organic management and the conventional process. The end results showed that though the conventional process yields more output, but the practise of organic management as if to add manure to the soil certainly increased the output.  
• In another experiment which was conducted by F. Piazzolla, M.L. Amodio, R. Rinaldi and few others to evaluate the effect of the type of fertilization and stage of maturity harvest on red and yellow ‘Cazzone’ peppers, the maturity stage influenced color parameters and soluble solids, acidity and pH for both the specified types and fertilizers had adverse effect when it was studied in the long run.
• In a field experiment in south Kashmir conducted by, A. Kumar and I. Ahad, to identify the suitable strawberry cultivators for higher production showed that maximum results were obtained under polyhouse conditions.

Other than these researches there are more aspects of horticulture  that are flourishing with each passing day. One such instance is the use of coco peat. Coco Peat is made from coconut husks which are obtained as by product of other industries that uses coconuts. Coir fibre pith or coir dust is the main constituent of coco peat and is obtained by processing of coconut husk and then removing the fibres. This coco peat used as soil additive, is used as absorbent in wet floors and can be sometimes used to make seats and sofa-sets .

Water conservation is also an aspect worth concern in case of horticulture. There can be various ways used for the utilization of water like sprinkle irrigation and drip irrigation that would be so beneficiary. Saving and using water conservation techniques helps us to use water in emergency time.

Plant growth is a factor that one considers in horticulture. We usually don’t grow the same plant over and over again in the same soil as that would make the soil deficient in some specific nutrients. For instance, we cultivate pulses for restoration of various nutrients. Legumes are a great way for nitrogen fixation.

The modernization in the various techniques that are included in horticulture we see that our mother nature is being saved in every possible way and these techniques also increase the standard of the outputs. These techniques not only provide benefits to human in short term, but the various techniques such as conservation of water and soil also helps us to use these resources as and when required.