#Japan #Tokyo #Sustainable Agriculture #Cococara #Cococara Brick

Cococara LLC Launches Innovative Cococara Brick

Cococara LLC, headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, is dedicated to promoting sustainability in agriculture through the production of high-quality coconut coir substrates for horticulture. The company recently launched its latest product, the "Cococara Brick with Pre-buffering Type," designed to enhance efficiency in agricultural practices.

Addressing Farmers' Concerns: Optimizing Buffering for Better Crop Management

The Cococara Brick is a compressed block of coconut coir, measuring 1/8 in size and highly versatile. It’s suitable for various horticultural applications, from high benches to larger pots, catering to a wide range of crops while being used by many producers. The newly released version has undergone a buffering process during manufacturing, which guarantees that farmers can confidently start planting with a precisely buffered substrate. This innovation allows for streamlined operations and optimal growing conditions for crops.

Understanding the Importance of Buffering

Buffering is a fundamental pre-treatment that stabilizes initial crop growth by replacing ions in the substrate with calcium nitrate. Variations in electrical conductivity (EC) and the proportion of cations within the coir substrate can significantly influence plant health and growth. Therefore, achieving a consistent buffer across all batches of coconut coir is essential for successful cultivation.

Cococara listened to the feedback from farmers, many of whom expressed a desire to shorten the buffering process and ease the complexities associated with it. The company decided to apply this pre-treatment at its factory in India, ensuring products arrive ready for immediate use, enhancing planting confidence.

Key Features of the Cococara Brick with Pre-buffering

1. Efficiency in Planting: Because the product comes pre-buffered, farmers can begin planting immediately after hydrating the brick. This is particularly beneficial when seedlings arrive, allowing for a quick transition into the planting phase.

2. Reliable Buffering Technology: Proper buffering relies on matching the concentration of calcium nitrate to the EC values of coir with uniform particle sizes. This is crucial during the early stages of sensitive crops like strawberries to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Cococara employs meticulous techniques, including thorough curing, washing, and drying of raw materials. This ensures that the required buffering process achieves minimal variation in growing conditions.

3. Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing: Cococara is committed to sustainable production practices. The liquid byproducts from buffering are collected and reused instead of being discarded, thus minimizing potential negative impacts on groundwater.

Testimonials from Early Adopters

The new buffering bricks have been introduced in facilities such as "THE FARM Slow Mountain Narita," which opened in March 2025, merging the open-air feel of outdoor environments with hotel comforts. This facility features Japan's first house for year-round strawberry cultivation, utilizing Cococara's pre-buffered bricks.

Feedback from Industry Leaders

A representative from THE FARM, Shindai Kubo, praised the pre-buffered bricks for their uniform quality and the stability they provide for initial crop management. They noted the need for stable yields given their consumer traffic, and the consistent quality across all growth rows enabled this.

Company Vision and Future Goals

Cococara aims to simplify agriculture, particularly as it approaches its 10th anniversary. The company is developing a mid-term management strategy to address challenges in sustainable farming and shifting food supply systems. The ultimate goal is to empower growers globally, ensuring efficient practices while preserving Japan's unique agricultural culture and contributing to environmentally sustainable food production.

About Cococara LLC

Founded in November 2016 by co-founder Hidemasa Ohara, Cococara LLC is dedicated to improving agricultural practices through its brand "Cococara Peat" and other innovative soil improvement products. Operating under a comprehensive management system in its facility in Southern India, the company prides itself on delivering high-quality products consistently, with a growing presence in Japan and the UK. They currently support over 270 producers in Japan.

For more information about Cococara and its products, interested parties are encouraged to visit their official website: Cococara Official Site.