In Malaysia’s unpredictable climate, where erratic weather disrupts fruit settings and threatens yields, growers like Scott Teh Weh Bing of Elsion Bioseeds Sdn Bhd struggle to maintain productivity. Scott’s journey with QarboGrow™ showcases how innovation can empower farmers to thrive despite challenging conditions.
1. Can you tell us about Elsion Bioseeds and your farm’s challenges?
Elsion Bioseeds focus on plant breeding and biotech technologies to create diverse vegetable varieties that address Malaysia’s food security challenges. Our operation has been in the market for about eight years. One of our biggest challenges is poor fruit settings caused by erratic weather, including heavy rain, waterlogging, and flooding. These conditions lead to flower abortion and drastically lower yields, creating a vicious cycle of unpredictability.
2. How did you discover QarboGrow™ and what attracted you to it?
I first came across Qarbotech’s product Harvast a few years ago in the home gardening sector and noticed a lot of positive reviews. When QarboGrow™ entered the commercial farming sector, I was very excited. I contacted Chee Hoe to discuss potential applications and conducted several test trials. The initial results were promising and I was eager to explore its potential further.
3. What were the results of using QarboGrow™ on your crops?
The results have been very positive, though they vary across different crops. One notable example is chilli farming. Heavy rainfall in the fourth quarter of 2023 caused severe waterlogging and flooding on the farm, leading to flower abortion and the expectation of a near-zero harvest. However, after using QarboGrow™ for about two weeks, the plants grew much healthier, retained their flowers, and delivered a surprisingly good harvest. It was a remarkable turnaround in a dire situation.
4. How has QarboGrow™ helped you optimise growing conditions despite erratic weather?
QarboGrow™ has allowed us to maintain consistent productivity by enhancing plant resilience, even in unpredictable climates. Strengthening the plants and supporting their development during challenging conditions has given us a tool to optimise our growing windows and salvage yields that would otherwise have been lost.
5. What advice would you give to other growers considering QarboGrow™?
I would encourage growers to give QarboGrow™ a try, especially if they are struggling with erratic weather. Its ability to improve plant health and boost yields in difficult conditions is invaluable. With QarboGrow™, we’ve achieved results that seemed impossible under traditional methods.
