Agrícola El Rancho, member of the Fruchincha Group with a 250-hectares estate located in the Chincha Valley, Peru (Sociedad Agricola Moche Norte with 140 hectares, is Located in Lambayeque, the North of Peru), has been a cornerstone of the Rotondo family’s agroindustrial century-old legacy. What started with the Tabernero wineries, diversified during the 1980s into agro-exportation, focusing on mandarins, avocados, and table grapes. Antonio Rotondo, the estate’s Director and shareholder, has embraced innovation and sustainability as key drivers in addressing the challenges of modern farming. Partnering with BloomX, Rotondo implemented controlled cross-pollination techniques to sustainably boost yield and fruit quality.
The Challenge
- Gaining Control over Field Variables:
Managing the various variables involved in farming has always been a significant challenge. Critical factors such as irrigation, nutrition and pruning must be carefully controlled to ensure optimal production and fruit quality. Until recent years, pollination was not a variable growers imagined they could control, as it was dominated by nature. The typical approach involved placing hives in the orchards and hoping for the best. However, this paradigm is now shifting, with growers exploring new techniques to actively manage pollination and improve outcomes. By controlling more variables, growers can enhance production and increase their level of certainty over yields. - Adapting to Climate Change Influences:
Another critical challenge is the impact of climate change. For example, the El Niño phenomenon in the Northern region of Chapén, led to extreme weather conditions, reducing yields to as low as 6.5 tons per hectare (5,800lbs/acre). These environmental disruptions underscored the need for solutions that could adapt to climate-related risks and stabilize production.
Field Implementation
The implementation process at Agrícola El Rancho and Moche Norte, was systematic and collaborative:
- Collaboratively selecting the trial plots.
- Initial Training – daily pollination window:
BloomX’s team provided the estate personnel with the predictive app as well as trained them to identify the optimal timing for flowering and implement the cross-pollination process effectively. - Field Application:
BloomX’s YAHAV 1400 devices were deployed across various fields, both in Chincha and Lambayeque region. - Monitoring and Support:
Continuous support from BloomX ensured smooth execution and addressed any challenges promptly.
Results
- Improved Yields:
- At Agrícola El Rancho, yields increased by approximately 5%, translating to 1,250 additional kilograms per hectare (1115 lbs/acre).
- In the Northern region affected by El Niño, Moche Norte yields rose by 35%, equating to an additional 8 to 9 tons per hectare (7100-8000 lbs/acre).
- Ease of Adoption:
Estate personnel quickly adapted to the new technology, implementing it effectively without major issues. - Sustainability:
The process demonstrated no negative impacts on bees or the environment, aligning with Moche Norte and Agrícola del Rancho’s commitment to sustainable practices.
Conclusion
BloomX’s innovative pollination technology has proven to be a game-changer for Grupo Rotondo, delivering measurable improvements in yield and sustainability. Antonio Rotondo highlights the simplicity and effectiveness of the solution, stating, “I fully recommend this technique. The estate teams should become familiar with it, be trained, and execute it effectively.”
With promising results in both Chincha and the Lambayeque region, Grupo Rotondo continues to leverage BloomX’s technology to improve avocado production. This partnership showcases the transformative potential of innovation in modern agriculture, providing a replicable model for farmers seeking to enhance productivity and sustainability.
