Onubafruit has decided to invest one million Euro in the operation of a new experimental farm in Huelva.
The farm consists of eight hectares devoted to the testing and evaluation of new varieties belonging to the genera Fragaria, Vaccinium and Rubus, as well as to the development of new crops.
This new site will offer a significant contribution to the research work already carried out in centres in Huelva, Segovia, Avila, Salamanca and South America.
"In recent years, Onubafruit has integrated R&D into its core operations," states Marco Vaz, head of R+D+i at Onubafruit. The project will continue with the R&D+i already successfully developed by the group, focused on the search for new varieties and new farming systems.
In this area, and especially as regards the cultivation of blueberries, Onubafruit has developed a program to obtain new varieties better adapted to the agro-climatic conditions of the region of Huelva, having obtained highly satisfactory results in terms of productivity, Brix, taste and nutritional properties by resorting to specific agronomic handling methods designed by the company's technical team.
The main goal is to respond to market trends and demands, while adhering to current environmental and food safety legislation. "Such improvement plans have a positive impact on the quality, taste and shelf life of the fruit, helping producers become more competitive and consolidating our position as leaders in the production of berries in Europe," he points out.
Besides the technical-research side of the Experimental Farm Project, this new location will also serve as headquarters of Onubafruit's Berryteca; a playful space designed to promote berries amongst elementary school students willing to learn firsthand how these fruits are grown and what their health benefits are.
A project which, as Marco Vaz states, "meets several objectives: to be at the forefront of advances in science and technology and to respond to the social commitment to our community, while we promote the excellence of our products."
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Victoria RodrÃguez
Onubafruit S.Coop.And.