Text: Eija Lankinen, Lecturer of horticulture in the Häme University of Applied Sciences

Finland has top expertise in greenhouse cultivation. This is evidenced, for example, by the world record for cucumber cultivation achieved in Närpiö in 2025, where the Närpiö farm Johan Prinsén Oy Ab produced 256 kg/m2 of cucumbers. In comparison, in the Netherlands, average yields are just over 70 kg/m2. One of the factors behind this world record is a new Finnish innovative company, EOD Oy, whose equipment allows farmers to improve the oxygen concentration of their irrigation water. As its operations have grown, EOD has invested not only in technology but also in recruiting new experts into the field.

This article explains how EOD sees cooperation with educational institutions as the key to the future.

Presenting Mira Korhonen: from student to expert 

Häme University of Applied Sciences in Lepaa is the only university of applied sciences in Finland that offers a bachelor’s degree in professional horticulture. Fourth year horticulture student Mira Korhonen was starting the last final stage if her studies, i.e. the thesis, in late 2025, but the topic was missing. 

”I contacted our lecturer Eija Lankinen and asked if she had any suitable topic in mind. Eija suggested that I write my thesis about a new technology, oxygen nanobubbles. She had previously received a tip about the subject from EOD. The subject was pretty much completely foreign to me, but that is exactly why I got excited about it, because I wanted to challenge myself”, Mira says.

In the thesis Mira did a literature review on nanobubbles: “There is currently not a lot of research on the subject, so it was important to summarise all possible studies. The aim is that anyone who wants information on the subject can easily find research data, making purchasing decision for new technology easier”, Mira continues.

Mira’s thesis has proceeded excellently: according to EOD its level has surpassed their expectations. So well, in fact, that the company decided to hire Mira as an expert and sales assistant. In Mira’s case the thesis has given her new information not only about nanobubbles, but also on horticulture. Making the thesis has helped Mira develop professionally and has increased Mira’s motivation to stay in the field.

”We want to collaborate so that the youth can get a new perspective on the industry and a potential job. Mira’s story is a great example of this.”

Scientific innovations are revolutionising farming – this is how new practices are created 

EOD’s operations are based on researched knowledge, and the company has verified the effects of the oxygen nanobubble technology it has developed from the beginning. In 2022–2024, EOD carried out an extensive research project in collaboration with Satakunta University of Applied Sciences and plant cultivators as part of the NABLE project (Enhancing agricultural production with nanobubbles). The final report of the project can be found on the project website. 

The research combined practical cultivation with scientific analysis, resulting in EOD’s Nanoboost oxygen fertilisation system, which uses energy-efficient technology to add oxygen to irrigation water. Oxyfertigation promotes root health and balanced growth, reducing the need for environmentally harmful pesticides.

Cooperation with educational institutions is very important to EOD, as these two examples show. Through young people, EOD wants to bring new perspectives to the field and act as a potential recruitment path for future talents.

Responsible growth and expertise: EOD’s team and Finnish development work

EOD’s Nanoboost is developed and manufactured in Salo, Finland, in collaboration with local subcontractors. The company emphasises operational reliability, high quality and energy efficiency, which are deliberate choices that support both environmental sustainability and the long-term success of its farmer customers.

Founded in 2019, EOD was created to address the environmental challenges of primary production for farmers in a profitable and practical way. The company believes that sustainable change requires both environmental benefits and financial profitability.

The EOD team has grown rapidly. Timo Kantola, Chief Executive Officer, has been in charge of the company since the beginning. Henna Niskakoski, Chief Scientific Officer, is responsible for the development work of EOD and works closely with research institutes. The one responsible for the company sales is Sales Director Peter Christiansen. The latest addition to the team in addition to Mira is Master of Science in automation and mechanical engineering Ossi Niskakoski. 

”I feel that I have been welcomed into the team with a very positive attitude”, Mira says. ”This cooperation has opened so many doors that I didn’t even know were possible. During the making of my thesis, I interviewed farmers about the use of nano-oxygen water, and the farmers were really receptive to such a newcomer to the field. Thank you to them for it!”

Development work at EOD continues and the aim is to increase cooperation with Häme University of Applied Sciences. The aim is to promote a joint European research project that will further investigate the effect mechanisms of oxygen nanobubbles. 

Meaningful work creates hope for the future

Let’s return to Mira’s story. How does the fresh horticulturist see EOD’s technology impacting future farming? 

”I believe, that EOD’s technology will help farmers achieve a significantly better result, both qualitatively and quantitively in their production. The goal of EOD is to help primary production companies to add greener technology, which improves the companies’ profitability,” Mira underlines. 

”I am thankful that I can be a part of this new development and cleaner transition in the horticulture sector.” 

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