Ondara's strategic plan is progressing, and the company is meeting its goals. The first batch of medicinal cannabis is in the greenhouse in Garray, and the company will recall five employees it furloughed in June 2022. These employees are expected to return to work next week, resuming operations at the greenhouse.
Ondara has gone through a complex administrative process since deciding to stop growing roses and start cultivating cannabis over four years ago. Securing the necessary licenses for cannabis growth led to workforce reductions from nearly 300 employees to about 60, affected by two layoffs.
The largest layoff involved about 50 members responsible for cultivation. It began in mid-2022 after cannabis cultivation was approved and has been extended several times. A second layoff affected ten technicians and was enacted in 2024. This second layoff impacted 11 people involved in administrative and cultivation tasks. The pest control technician was recalled after cultivation started.
After three years without production activity, Ondara has recalled its production staff to care for its greenhouse plants. The company plans to recall workers in phases, in groups of five. It expects to have 30 to 35 employees by the end of October and aims to end the leave by the end of this year or early 2026. The first step will be taken next week.
The cannabis production cycle lasts four to five months. Ondara has three batches of cannabis ready and will utilize two of the 14 hectares in the greenhouse in Garray. Initially, clones are planted in the propagation room and later moved to the greenhouse for the vegetative phase, which is essential for plant growth. During this phase, plants need 18 hours of light, so greenhouse lights will be turned back on. The first batches that started propagation at the beginning of the month are now in the greenhouse, allowing the company to recall workers. This phase lasts 6 to 7 weeks.
Subsequently, the plants enter the flowering phase for 8 to 9 weeks, triggered by reducing light exposure to 12 hours per day. After flowering, the cannabis is harvested, and the plants are cleaned, dried, and cured. The process ends with plant analysis and decontamination if needed. Based on these steps, Ondara could have its first shipment of medical cannabis by the end of this year or early next year.
Source: heraldodiariodesoria.es
