For Beginner Entrepreneurs: Unveiling the Versatility of Coconut Trees
As a beginner entrepreneur, you’ve likely heard the saying that coconut trees are highly versatile. However, many people struggle to process them, especially coconut husks, which often end up as waste. Few realize the immense potential of coconut plantations, which can be processed into various products such as cocofiber and cocopeat. But do you know the difference between these two?
This article will help you understand the definitions and differences between cocopeat and cocofiber, their benefits, and how they are made. Let’s delve into the details below.
Definition and Benefits of Cocopeat
Cocopeat is an organic planting medium made from coconut husk powder. It resembles sawdust and has a reddish or brown color. Cocopeat is an excellent alternative planting medium due to its water retention properties.
Cocopeat contains a wealth of chemical elements that support plant growth. Its pH level ranges from 5.0 to 6.8, making it a favorite among farmers for an ideal planting medium.
Making cocopeat is relatively simple. The coconut husks must first be ground into a fine powder, which can be done manually or with machines. Businesses often use machines for efficiency and to save time and labor.
Cocopeat has numerous benefits, especially in agriculture. Its fine, soil-like texture provides essential nutrients, making it more beneficial for plants than just water alone. Cocopeat is also eco-friendly, absorbing water as quickly as regular soil, and it is more resistant to pests, which tend to avoid it. For farmers or new business owners, cocopeat is easy to make and offers many advantages.
Definition and Benefits of Cocofiber
Cocofiber is the fibrous material from coconut husks that has been ground but not finely processed, resulting in long, golden or brown strands. Its coarser texture makes it easily distinguishable from cocopeat. Simply put, cocofiber is the precursor to cocopeat.
Cocofiber offers various benefits and is often used in household items such as brooms, mats, and cleaning tools. It can also be used as a planting medium, albeit in a tougher form than cocopeat.
Cocofiber is eco-friendly and has a pH level of 5.5 to 6.5. It is more resistant to bacteria and fungi compared to regular soil and can also be used as a fertilizer.
How to Make Cocopeat and Cocofiber
Making cocopeat manually involves wetting the coconut husks, cutting them into small pieces, drying them, and then grinding them into a fine powder. The powder is then filtered for quality and soaked in a local microorganism solution mixed with water for a day. Finally, it is filtered again for the best results.
The process of making cocofiber is similar. Wet coconut husks are separated into long fibers (cocofiber) and powder (cocopeat). The fibers are dried evenly and pressed into balls for easy storage.
For those looking for a more efficient method, machines are a better option. Coconut husks, often considered waste, can become profitable when processed correctly. However, manual processing may not yield sufficient profit due to limited production capacity and the need to hire labor.
Using machinery, such as a decorticating machine with a capacity of one ton, can significantly enhance profitability. Asterra offers such machines, made from durable materials with diesel engines, producing 200 to 300 kilograms per hour.
Manual coconut husk processing may not be profitable, especially if labor costs are high and the output falls short of targets. Investing in machinery can lead to better outcomes and profitability.
By using Asterra’s one-ton capacity coconut husk decorticating machine, you can run your business efficiently with lower expenses and higher outputs. These machines are safe, reliable, and provide superior results compared to manual processing. So, what are you waiting for? After understanding the differences between cocopeat and cocofiber, you can decide which suits your business best. With Asterra’s machines, you can even produce both!
Source : https://www.asterra.id/artikel/beda-cocopeat-cocofiber/
