Case – Okafé Angolan Premium Coffee

Comparison of Fibercell Paper Pot System vs. Polybags

Okafé, a producer of high‑quality Angolan premium coffee, set out to improve the efficiency, uniformity, and sustainability of its seedling production. Traditionally, seedlings were grown in soil‑filled polybags, a method widely used in many nurseries but one that often limits plant performance and increases operational workload. To evaluate alternatives, Okafé compared its conventional polybag system with our FiberCell paper pot system. Today they are using our FiberCell Prime Medium paper.

Challenges with Polybags

Growing coffee seedlings in polybags presented several limitations:

• Poor substrate aeration – Soil used in polybags had low air‑filled porosity, leading to waterlogging, anaerobic conditions, and frequent weed contamination.
• Slower and uneven germination – Germination rates were inconsistent, delaying production timelines.
• High labor requirements – Collecting soil, transporting it to the nursery, filling polybags, handling them during growth, and preparing large planting holes in the field all demanded substantial manual labor.
• Weak root system development – Because polybags rest directly on the ground, roots often penetrate through the plastic into the soil below. Inside the bag, root growth remained limited, with poor fibrous root formation and reduced vigor.

These constraints resulted in variable plant quality, increased disease risk, and inefficiencies throughout the nursery workflow.

FiberCell Paper Pot System

Switching to FiberCell introduced a series of measurable improvements:

• Faster and more uniform germination – Germination occurred in less than 15 days, with seedlings emerging more consistently across trays.
• Optimized aeration and drainage – The combination of high‑quality substrate and breathable paper created ideal conditions for root development.
• Better moisture management – With proper irrigation control, the paper pot maintained stable humidity levels while preventing waterlogging.
• Stronger, more uniform root systems – Air pruning at the pot edges encouraged dense, fibrous root growth, critical for successful field establishment.
• Improved handling and logistics – The FiberCell paper pots are lightweight, easy to transport, and practical for sowing and transplanting.
• Predictable production planning – Uniform germination allowed Okafé to define reliable production timelines and output targets.
• Reduced contamination risks – Using clean, controlled substrates eliminated soil‑borne pathogens and weed seeds.
• Sustainable and biodegradable – FiberCell paper pots are planted directly into the field, where they naturally break down over time, eliminating plastic waste.

Even though the FiberCell system has a higher initial cost, as it requires investment in equipment, holders, and paper; depending on the crop and production volume, this investment typically reaches break-even within 2–5 years.

Summary of Findings

The comparison demonstrated that the FiberCell paper pot system is technically superior to polybags in several key areas:

• More uniform seedling growth
• Faster and healthier root development
• Better aeration and moisture control
• Reduced disease and contamination risks
• Easier handling and more efficient nursery operations
• Environmentally friendly, biodegradable production

Polybags, in contrast, showed greater plant variability, higher disease incidence, and challenges with moisture control, compaction, and weed management.

For Okafé, transitioning from polybags to FiberCell paper pot technology resulted in a more predictable, efficient, and sustainable seedling production system. The improved root quality and uniformity directly support stronger field establishment and higher long‑term productivity, making FiberCell a valuable investment for modern coffee nurseries aiming to elevate both quality and environmental performance.

We would like to thank Okafé for their trust in choosing our FiberCell paper pot system. We appreciate the collaboration and look forward to continuing working together.