Transforming Greenhouse Growing in Southeast Asia:

Since 2004, an enthusiastic entrepreneur, Menno Keppel, has been transforming the greenhouse landscape in Southeast Asia bridging Dutch horticultural technology with tropical climate realities. Through innovative greenhouse construction and climate control, this journey led to the creation of Take Me Home tomatoes: a premium brand that set the standard for locally grown, vine-ripened tomatoes in Thailand. A story that perfectly reflects Grodan’s “Designed to grow anywhere, anytime” philosophy: empowering growers anytime to produce reliable, high-quality crops sustainably, in every corner of the world.

Adapting technology for tropical success

Initially focused on tomato contract farming, the team quickly realized that applying Dutch technology to Southeast Asia required more than infrastructure, it demanded insight and adaptability. With a mission to make year-round cultivation possible in tropical lowlands, they introduced a tropical greenhouse design that is 2 to 9 degrees cooler than the outside climate, without active cooling.

The addition of Grodan stone wool substrates and GroSens technology became a game-changer. "With the help of these tools to our toolbox, we’re able to steer crops more evenly, make data-driven decisions, and improve plant performance even during the toughest seasons,” Menno explains. This combination of precision control and data-driven cultivation perfectly illustrates Grodan’s value of manageability which enables growers to respond confidently to changing conditions and maintain crop balance under pressure.

A journey with Grodan

When Agri Solutions Asia first connected with Grodan in 2021, they discovered a shared commitment to sustainable growing and reliable results. Since becoming an official Grodan distributor, the collaboration has deepened, with more local growers adopting Grodan and achieving measurable improvements in yield, consistency, and quality.

At Take Me Home tomatoes, the transition to Grodan substrates has made daily work more efficient and rewarding. “We were already sharing knowledge with our customers, but now with Grodan products it has become far more interesting and easier to work with our plants,” the team explains. “By talking to several Grodan specialists, we learned a lot about how to improve our nursery and small plants. Thanks to Joost Haenen, Propagation Specialist at Grodan, we are now moving more towards growing on Grodan and less on the local substrate coco. This has resulted in many growers and propagators showing strong interest in stone wool from Grodan.” This close collaboration reflects Grodan’s commitment to sharing expertise, supporting growers not just with products, but with science-based insights and personal guidance.

As a representative of the Grodan brand, Agri Solutions Asia has been travelling across Thailand to meet growers who are starting with Grodan. “It’s been amazing to meet so many passionate growers in person. The added value Grodan offers with both specialist knowledge and the GroSens sensors, has really helped us improve our crops. We are looking forward to a bright future together.”

Changing the game in Southeast Asia

The local market is evolving fast. Consumers demand safer, pesticide-free produce, and growers are seeking consistency in an unpredictable climate. From bell peppers and melons to salad greens and tomatoes, there’s a growing interest in food crops that can be cultivated with fewer inputs and better reliability.

“Most growers used to rely on bamboo greenhouses. But that’s not sustainable year-round,” Menno shares. “We aim to give them models that work reliable monthly yields using Grodan substrate and sensor technology.” With Grodan’s help there is a more efficient use of resources. By optimizing water, nutrients, and labour, growers can achieve higher yields with less environmental impact proving that sustainable growing is also smart business.

The Take Me Home tomato brand

What began as a solution to supply premium red vine-ripened tomatoes has now become a benchmark for quality in the Thai market. Sold primarily to premium supermarkets, food chains, and five-star hotels, Take Me Home tomatoes are celebrated for their flavour, freshness, and vibrant appearance—all available year-round, a direct reflection of Grodan’s promise of reliable results.

Propagation: The root of great crops

Since 2005, the grower has also taken propagation into their own hands, realizing that strong crops start with strong nursery plants. Without a formal agricultural background, they built a thriving propagation centre in Chiang Mai, now a proven model for growing in extreme heat and humidity.

“We wanted to prove it’s possible,” Menno says. “From tomatoes to strawberries, we learned that quality starts with the plug. Today, our nursery plants are compact, generative, and highly uniform, ideal for high-tech cultivation.”

The switch to Grodan plugs and blocks has further strengthened plant control, root development, and uniformity delivering a solid foundation for success. Their propagation service now supplies growers across the region with top-tier plants, helping them focus on production while maintaining crop quality and predictability. It all starts with the root, quite literally. By beginning with strong, uniform young plants on Grodan plugs and blocks, growers lay the foundation for healthier, more productive crops. That’s what it’s is all about: helping every plant reach its full potential from root to fruit.

Switching from coco to Grodan

The recent transition from coco substrate to Grodan has delivered impressive results. Labor has been significantly reduced, water use has dropped, and plant uniformity has improved. Beyond productivity, the switch contributes to a more sustainable operation: less water, fewer inputs, and maximum crop performance per square meter supporting more food from fewer resources.

“With Grodan, everything from placing slabs to transplanting is faster and more efficient,” Menno notes. “Yield is more consistent, fruit size is stable, and the plant remains stronger across the full growing cycle, especially in challenging climates.”

Even more promising is the ability to maintain a higher EC level (4.5–5.0) without compromising plant health or fruit flavour, something that was impossible on coco. “People notice the flavour and aroma. Our customers love it.”

This is efficient resource use in action. Growing more with less, while maintaining exceptional quality.

Best practices in a challenging climate

From spraying with Redusol to managing dry backs precisely, the grower emphasizes one critical lesson: adaptability. “We deal with extreme changes, from cool nights to hot, high-radiation days. The secret is to adjust fast and steer the crop carefully. That’s what sets a good grower apart.”

With Grodan substrates and the GroSens Suite, growers gain the manageability and precision needed to react quickly and make informed adjustments achieving balance even under extreme conditions.

A partnership built on knowledge

Beyond the products, it’s Grodan’s knowledge-sharing that stands out. “Whenever I have questions, I get help instantly from growing advice to propagation tips. That’s the value Grodan brings: we learn more about our plants, and that makes all the difference.”

Looking ahead, the Menno is eager to explore deeper plant responses, optimize the use of sensors, and expand their greenhouse consultancy to help more local growers succeed, making tropical greenhouse growing a sustainable reality across the South East Asian region.

Designed to grow

The story of Take Me Home Tomatoes is more than a success story. It’s proof of how Grodan’s “Designed to grow” philosophy comes to life.

Together with passionate partners like Agri Solutions Asia, Grodan helps growers everywhere achieve reliable results, efficient resource use, manageable precision, and expert-backed success empowering them to grow strong, sustainable crops anywhere, anytime.