He noted that the total area under hydroponics in the island is around 24.8 hectares of land. This represents approximately 575 units of greenhouses (commercial) which each extend over 250 to 700 square meters. "The industry has now big developers have expanded their business from 6 000 to 7 000 square meters," emphasizes Armoodalingum Ellapen. And add that data are being collected to better quantify domestic production in hydroponic vegetables.
Kailash Ramtohul is an entrepreneur who, with his wife, was launched last year in this activity. The idea came when he sought to expand its field of ten poles in the region of Creve Coeur.
"We wanted a parallel business to our professional duties but taking care of a garden requires too much time and energy," reports-til. Hydroponics is then proposed commeoption torque Ramtohul. "The equipment for hydroponics but we seemed expensive. The implementation cost for a greenhouse of 300 m2 is around Rs 400,000 to Rs 500,000, "says Kailash Ramtohul.
PRODUCTION EASIER
However, these expenses are made profitable by a production easier through better control of the elements. Unless weather, invasion of insects, drought or petty thieves (raccoons, muskrats, skunks, etc.).. Fruit ripening is accelerated by a longer production season and multiple productions during the year instead of one. Especially since the AREU provides technical support nearby.
"The design of the project, training for better management of the greenhouse and the proper use of equipment, and all supported by regular visits. What better training for an entrepreneur who starts? "Said an official" On the banking side, funding is at 80%, with an interest rate of 7.9%, plus a two-year moratorium period. This allows the contractor to blow the first two years by paying only interest, "adds Armoodalingum Ellapen. The entrepreneurpeut meantime atteindresa cruising speed pourpoursuivre remboursementdu the capital.
Kailash Ramtohul already enjoying his crops. "Last year, low price and destomates apples amoura affected our profitability, but we could amortirnos costs," he says. However, the first harvest of early 2013 have not been as successful. The "bacterial wild" is a disease that ravaged and destroyed 50% of his harvest this year. "But high leprix tomatoes débutd'année allowed us decompensate losses" Kailash Ramtohul advance. The entrepreneur is satisfied with the results obtained so far.
RS 20 THE BOOK WHOLESALE
If all goes well, the optimal production of greenhouse Ramtohul can reach during the winter, five to six tons of tomatoes while "summer laproduction fell by 30% to 40%," he said. These tomatoes first choice, he sells (wholesale) to Rs 20 a pound. "If we go into detail or lecommerce apportonsune value to OURPRODUCTS for commercialisationen supermarkets lebusiness be more profitable," he says.
Growing tomatoes currently represents 65% of the hydroponic market is the largest percentage. Hydroponics in Mauritius is also used for the production of peppers (which occupy 25% of the market). English cucumbers, melons and lettuce complement the rest of the percentage.