In September 2024 pilot systems were established to recycle drain water from 2 sweet pepper growers in Vietnam. Both systems have now been running for several months. Based on the data collected during this period we can see that at one location (Thuy Farm) so far 33% water was saved and 36% fertilizer and at the other location (Garden Mountain) 33% water and 35% fertilizer was saved.
Both drain water recycling systems have been running smoothly since commissioned in September 2024, except for a few hitches during the first few weeks. These hitches could fast be resolved by adjusting some settings. That both VitaLite systems can be accessed from the Netherlands by the technical support team from Ridder Group is very convenient to determine the cause of a problem and to find fast the solution.
Both sweet pepper crops are growing very well and both Vien Son and Garden Mountain are very pleased with the crop performance so far. We expect that in the long-term using a system to recycle drain water will enable farmers to enhance their crop performance as they can further optimize the irrigation and fertigation strategy for their crops. To ensure the nutrient application (fertigation) is in line with the plant requirements, every 2 weeks a water and drain water sample is send to the Netherlands for analysis. Within 4 – 5 days after taking the sample, the water analysis results are available, with is quite fast considering the samples need to send to the Netherlands from Vietnam.
To share the results of the last couple of months and to introduce the technology to recycle drain water to growers in Vietnam we started to organize field days at both pilot locations. The response from the visiting growers shows they are very interested in the technology to recycle drain water and want to explore how to apply this technology at their own farm.
In 2025 we will continue to collect data at both pilot locations and continue to organize field days and training activities. We will also participate at the HortEx fair in HCMC from 12 – 14 March to show the results and meet interested parties.
Based on the current results we are optimistic that we can find more growers in Vietnam to install this technology, making their production more sustainable and profitable.
The project: “Improving water availability and safety through optimized irrigation and fertilizer application by hydroponic growers in Vietnam” implemented under the Partners for Water program.
Project partners:
Ridder Group
Royal Brinkman
HollandDoor
Fresh Studio
For more information about this project please contact:
René van Rensen
Managing Partner – R&D Director Crops
Info@freshstudio.vn
The Partners for Water program is implemented by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on behalf of the Ministries of Infrastructure and Water Management, Foreign Affairs, Economic Affairs and Climate and Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
For more information see: www.partnersvoorwater.nl
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