28 June 2019 12:01 am
Japan’s SARA Inc., the operators of the world’s largest high tech greenhouse, has selected Sri Lanka’s Riococo Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. as the exclusive supplier of growing media for their semi-closed green house functioning under a new climate control system.
A media communiqué by Riococo Lanka said they were selected through a competitive process as world’s leading growing media suppliers presented their products hoping to be chosen as SARA Inc.’s supplier.
“This was a great and a unique opportunity for Riococo to prove they are the market leader in coir growing media brands in the world and to win recognition for Sri Lanka as a country to be a part of the Japan’s most high-tech greenhouse operation,” it said.
The opening ceremony was held in the Kasaoka city greenhouse premises on June 21, and invitees from the Government of Japan, the local government and business partners were in attendance.
Riococo Lanka Chairman/CEO Susantha Shan Halamba presented the Sri Lankan flag to display inside the greenhouse, and he appreciated the management of SARA for giving the great opportunity to Riococo to be a part of the project.
This was the first time coir growing product medium made in Sri Lanka was selected to be used in a most hi-tech greenhouse complex in the world.
Riococo coir growing medium products are sold in 52 countries worldwide, and it was the only Sri Lankan-based company that was awarded the world most prestigious international business award, Stevie Gold Award in the USA.
SARA greenhouse was built in Kasaoka city in Japan and it is the largest single site advance glass greenhouse project with the latest technology available in the world to grow tomatoes, bell peppers and butterhead lettuce.
This project involves operations of advanced greenhouse horticulture and biomass power plant.
The cost per acer to build this greenhouse is 5 times higher than the per acer cost of the normal high-tech greenhouse.
Kagome, the largest multi-greenhouse company in Japan also uses Riococo growing media to grow their Disney brand tomatoes throughout Japan since 2006.
Riococo said they have been working with Kagome for over 13 years, helping them to make their product the No.1 tomato grade in the Japanese market.