Why choose our cultivation method?

Although indoor cultivation allows for complete control and continuous production, its ecological impact and energy costs are considerable.

Outdoor cultivation, on the other hand, is more sustainable and ecological, while offering superior quality.

The other advantage of our cultivation method in Africa is the significant financial savings detailed below.

At « Papa Rasta », we prioritize environmentally friendly practices to ensure high-quality products while minimizing our ecological impact.

Advantages

Natural Quality
Plants grown under the sun develop richer and more complex terpene profiles[1], offering better quality products.

Energy Savings
Outdoor cultivation uses natural light and heat, unlike indoor cultivation which generates massive electricity consumption.

Labor
Delicate and precise tasks, such as cannabis trimming, are performed by local skilled workers at much lower wages than in European countries.

Environmental Impact

Less impact on climate change as there is no need for artificial lighting systems or heating, thus reducing the carbon footprint.

Demonstration

Artificial light cultivation requires high energy consumption.

For each square meter of cultivation, 500 Watts of lighting are needed for 18 hours a day during the growth period and 12 hours a day during the flowering period.

For auto-flowering cannabis seeds, the growth and flowering period is generally shorter than for photoperiod varieties.

On average, the stages are as follows:
- Growth period (vegetation): approximately 3 to 4 weeks
- Flowering period: approximately 5 to 7 weeks

Thus, the complete cycle from seed to harvest for auto-flowering cannabis seeds is generally 8 to 10 weeks.

Calculation of energy consumption for 1 m² (50 grams!)

• Growth (4 weeks):
  - 500 W * 18 hours/day = 9,000 W/day
  - 9,000 W/day * 28 days = 252 kWh

• Flowering (6 weeks):
  - 500 W * 12 hours/day = 6,000 W/day
  - 6,000 W/day * 42 days = 252 kWh

Total consumption for a complete cycle: 504 kWh for 1 m² !!

For example, at the price of kWh in Germany[2], 504 * 0.3864 € (including VAT) / kWh = 195 € / m²

Also add the heating consumption, which will depend on your installation and climatic conditions, and do not forget the labor...

This simple calculation clearly shows the significant energy consumption required for artificial light cultivation, highlighting the high ecological impact of this method compared to outdoor cultivation.


So don't hesitate, join the « Papa Rasta » movement!


[1] Terpenes are the essential aromatic compounds present in cannabis that contribute to its smell, taste, and therapeutic effects.
[2] Figure 15: electricity price, in cents €/kWh for industrial sites in the 1st half of 2023 in Germany, all taxes and levies included (Eurostat, NRG_PC_205)